Early English poems and lives of saints with those of the wicked birds Pilate and Judas / ed. .. by Frederick J. Furnivall.

EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.

I. A SARMUN.

[Against Pride, and Covetousness (16), and on the grave, the pains of hell and the joys of heaven.] (Harl. MS. 913, p. 16.)

1.

Þe grace of godde and [In the MS. every and is written a' or is marked by a sign of con∣traction; and there are no hyphens, and no numbers before the lines. The final es in italics are inserted by the editor.] holi chirche þroȝ uertu of þe trinite: ȝif ous grace soch workes to wirche; þat helplich to ure sowles be.

2a.

þes wordes þat ich speke nou last in latin. hit is iwritte in boke: wel mow we drede and be agast; þe dede beþ so lolich to loke.

2b.

Þer for he seiith . a: man hab munde þat of þis lif þer commiþ ende: of erþe and axen is ure kunde and in to duste we schulliþ wende

3.

So seiþ seint bernard in his boke and techiþ vs ofte and lome: to be hend if we wold loke wel file hit is þat of us come

4.

Man loke þin ein and þi nosse þi mouþ . þin eris al aboute fram þi girdil to þi hosse hit is wel vile þat commiþ vte

5.

Man of þi schuldres and of þi side þou miȝte hunti luse and flee of such a park i ne hold no pride þe dere nis nauȝte þat þou mighte sle

6.

If þou ert prute man of þi fleisse oþir of þi velle þat is wiþ-oute þi fleisse nis naȝte bot worme-is meisse of such a þing whi ert þou prute.

7.

Wormis of þi fleisse schul spring þi felle wiþ-oute nis bot a sakke ipudrid ful wiþ drit and ding þat stinkiþ lolich and is blakke

8.

Sire whar of is þe gentil man of eni oþer þan of þis: him silf mei se . if gode he can for he sal find þat so hit is

9.

Þat hit be soþ and noȝt les þou loke þi neȝbor whare and how þou loke in his biriles he was prute as ert þou

10.

Whate prude sastou se þar bot stench and wormis i-crop in dritte of such a siȝt we aȝt be ware and in vre hert hit hab i-writte

11.

Silk no sendale nis þer none no bise no no meniuer þer nis no þing a-boute þe bone to ȝeme þat was ihuddid here

12.

Þe wiked wede þat was abute þe wormis þat hit habbiþ al for-soȝt Alas whar of is man so prute whan al is pride sal turne to noȝte

13.

If man is prute of world-is welle ihc hold a fole þat he be hit commiþ . hit goþ . hit nis bot dwelle bot dritte gile and wanite

14.

Lo þat catel nis bot gile trewlich ȝe mov isee he nel be felaw bot awhile þou salt him leue oþer he sal þe

15.

Hit is mi rede while þou him hast þou spen it wel þat helplich be

for god . but þou nelt at þe last oþer men sulle aftir þe

16.

Nouþe oþer mister men þer beþ þroȝ coueitise hi beþ iblend þat wer leuer wend to þere deþ þen spene þe gode þat god ham send

17.

Þoȝ man hit hab hit nis noȝt his hit nis ilend him bot alone fort to libbe is lif i-wisse and help þe nedful þat naþ non

18.

Nou mani wrecche be-commiþ þralle hi nul noȝt spene bot ȝime in store be-com hi beþ þe deuil-is þralle niȝt and dai hi libbeþ in sore.

19.

for niȝt and dai is al har þoȝte how hi hit mow hab and winne fast to hold and spene riȝt noȝte and lediþ euer har lif in pinne

20.

Þe wrecchis wringit þe mok so fast up ham silf hi nul noȝt spened ȝit hi sul dei at þe last and to þe deuil hi sul wend

21.

Siþ such a wringer goþ to helle for litil gode þat nis noȝt his whate mai ich bi þe riche man telle þat lediþ al is lif in blisse

22.

Hit is as eþe forto bring a camel in to þe neld-is ei as a rich man to bring in to þe blisse þat is an hei

23.

Þeiȝ man be rich of lond and lede and holdiþ festis ofte and lome hit nis no doute he sal be dede to ȝelde recning at þe dome

24.

ȝe: sulle we ȝiue a-cuntis of al þat we habbiþ ibe here ȝe: of a verþing soþ i-wisse of al þi time fram ȝer to ȝere

25.

And bot þou hit hab ispend ariȝte þe gode þat god þe haþ ilend of ihsu [The MS. has always ihc or ihu with a mark of contraction.] criste þou lesist þe siȝt to helle pine þou worþe isend

26.

Of helle pine we aȝt be ware and euer more hit hab in þoȝt ac non nel be oþer i-ware for ham silf be in i-broȝt

27.

Þeiȝ freris prech of heuen and helle of ioi and pine to mani man al þat him þenchit bot dwelle: [[a tale] as men telliþ of wlonchargan

28.

Ak ȝite þat ilk dai sal be þer nis non þat nold him hide so sore we sul drede to se þe wondis of ihsu crist-is side

29.

His hondes is fete sul ren of blode þou woldist fle þou ne miȝt noȝ þan þe sper þe nailes and þe rode sal crie tak wrech of sinful man

30.

Þe erþe þe watir þan sal sprede route and driue al for-wode nov ihsu crist we sul þe wrekke of sinful man þat sadde þi blode

31.

Boþe fire and wind lude sal crie louerd nov let vs go to for ich wl blow þe fire sal berne vp sinful man þat haþ misdo

32.

heuen and erþe sal crie and grede and helle sal berne þou salt ise o: sinful man wo worþ þi rede whan al þis wrech sal be for þe

33.

hit is so grisful forto loke and forto hir þe bittir dome angles sul quake so seiþ þe boke and þat þou hirist of [? for ofte.] and lome

34.

Sei sinful man whi neltou leue þat al þing sal com to hepe wel aȝt þi hert þroȝ ute cleue þin eiine blodi teris wepe

35.

Hit is to late whan þou ert þare to crie ihsu þin ore while þou ert here be wel iware vn-do þin hert and liue is lore

36.

Vn-do þin hert þat is iloke wiþ couetise and prvde þer an and þench þos wordis her ispoke for-ȝite ham noȝt ac þench apan

37.

and bot þou nelt þench her apan fort vnderfonge gode lore i-wis for soþ as þou ert man þou salt hit rew bitter and sore

38.

Man-is lif nis bot a schade nov he is and nov he nis. loke hou he mei be glade þoȝ al þis world miȝt be his

39.

Wold he þench þe vnseli man in to þis world whate he broȝte a stinkind felle i-lappid þer an wel litil bettir þan riȝt noȝt

40.

What is þe gode þat he sal hab oute of þis world whan he sal go a wikid wede whi sold i gab for he ne broȝt wiþ him no mo

41.

Riȝt as he com he sal wend in wo and pine and pouerte takiþ gode hede men to ȝur end for as i sigge so hit sal be

42.

I note whar of is man so prute of erþe axin fel and bone for be þe soule enis oute a uilir caraing nis þer non

43.

mani man þenchit on is þoȝt he nel noȝt leue his eir al bare

his eir sal fail and ber riȝt noȝte and wast þe gode wel wide whare

44.

Ich warne þe for i-sold hit sal al þat þou wan here wiþ pine a broþin eir sal wast it al and be al oþeris þat was þine

45.

Nouþ siþ þat þe world nis noȝt and catel nis bot vanite haue god in ur þoȝt and of þe catel be we fre

46.

Anouriþ god and holi chirch and helpiþ þai þat habiþ nede so god-is wil we sul wirch þe ioi of heuen hab to mede

47.

What is þe ioi þat man sal hab if his lif he speniþ wel soþ to sigge and noȝt to gab þer nis no tunge þat hit mai tel

48.

if i sal tel al þat i can in holi boke as we can rede hit is a ioi þat fallit to man of hel pine he ne dar drede

49.

Þe man þat mai to heuen com þe swete solas forto se heuesiþ is briȝtir þan þe sun in heuen sal man-is soule be

50.

his bodi sal þer be al so so fair and strang ȝe mou wel leue iuil is euer fur him fro þer nis no þing þat him sal greue

51.

to met no drink þer nis no nede no for no hungir he no sal kar þe siȝte of god him sal fede hit is wel miri to woni þar

52.

Þer beþ woningis mani and fale gode and betir tak god hede þe last word bint þe tale wo best mai do: best is his mede

53.

heuen is heiȝ boþe lange and wide mani angles þer beþ an boþe ioi and blis in euch side þer in sal woni gode cristin man

54.

Þe lest ioi þat þer is in a man sal know is owin frend is wif is fader and al is kin of al þis ioi þer nis non end

55.

we sul se oure leuedi briȝte so fulle of loue ioi and blisse þat of hir neb sal spring þe liȝte in to oure hert þat ioi iwisse

56.

Þe siȝte of þe trinite þe mest ioi þat mai be-falle boþe god and man in mageste þe heiȝ king aboue vs alle

57.

Þe siȝt of him is ure vode þe siȝt of him is ure virst al ure iois beþ ful gode þe siȝt of him is alir best

58.

Be-seche we him mek of mode þat soke þe milk of maid-is brest þat boȝt us wiþ is dere blode ȝiue us þe ioi þat euer sal lest.

59.

Alle þat beþ icommin here fort to hire þis sarmun loke þat ȝe nab no were for seue ȝer ȝe habbiþ to pardoun.

II. XV SIGNA ANTE IUDICIUM. (A fragment.)

(Harl. MS. 913, p. 20.)

Þe grace of ihsu fulle of miȝte [ 1] þroȝ prier of ure swete leuedi mote a-mang vs nuþe aliȝte and euer vs ȝem and saui.

Man and woman þou aȝtist tak gome [ 5] þis world-is ending how hit ssal be þe wondres þat sal com be for þe dome þat ȝung and old hit sal ise þe xv tokingis ichul ȝou telle [ 9] as us techiþ ysaie þe holi gost him taȝt ful welle and he hit prechid for profecie hit is iwrit in holi boke [ 13] as clerkis hit mow se and rede þat no þing no man mai loke þat is so grisful forto drede þer nis aliue so sinful man [ 17] if he þer of wold tak kepe and he wold þench apan þat nold wel sore in herte wepe Godmen takiþ nou gome [ 21] of tokninges þat commiþ bi for þe children wiþ in þe moder wome wel sore sul dicce and drede þer for wiþ in þe moder wom. hi sul grede [ 25] vp ihsu criste euer to crie louerde crist þou red vs rede and of vs þou hab mercie we wold louerd þat we ner [ 29] in world icome forto bene and vnbeȝet of ure fader wer þat al þing nou sal suffri tene Þe first tokning sal be þusse [ 33] al for soþ we sul hit see [[The first tokyn]] and þat oþer sal be wors for soþ ȝe nou wel liue me þe sterris þat þou sest so briȝte [ 37] in heuen aboue þat sit so fast for man-is sin sal ȝiue no liȝt ac sal adun to erþe be cast as fair and briȝte as þou seest ham [ 41] hi worþ be-com as blak as cole

and be of hiwe durke and wan for man-is sin þat hi sul þole [In the MS. the stanzas that follow are written in two lines instead of four.] Þer nis aliue so stidfast man [ 45] þat þer of ne sal agrise him to hide he ne can no whoder to fle in none wise bot as bestis þat wer wode [ 49] a-ȝe oþir to erne. her and þare for þi hi ne sul can no gode see no lond hi ne sul spare þan þe dede up sal arise [ 53] up har biriles forto sitte of þilk dai hi sul agrise and lok as bestis þat cun no witte Þe þrid dai þan amorow [ 57] [ III.] grisful hit sal be to loke of moch weping and of sorow as we fint in holi boke þe sone þat nov schiniþ so briȝt [ 61] þilk dai þou salt i-se wel grene and wan sal be is liȝt and þat for dred so hit sal be abute þe time of middai [ 65] he worþ as blak as þe cole we mov sigge wailawai moch is þe pine þat we sul þole Þe ferþ dai þat silf son [ 69] [ IV.] worþ as rede as hit wer fire for ferd of dome þat he sold come bi for ihsu þe heiȝ sire Þe fifte tokning þat sal be-fal [ 73] [ V.] þat allirkin maner beste wel sore hi sul quake wiþ al wil þat ilk dai sal lest towar heuen be-hold sul hi [ 77] wiþ har mund and wiþ har þoȝt

of ihsu crist merci to cri þoȝ þat hi ne mou spek riȝt noȝt alas louerd wat sul we tak [ 81] we þat abbiþ sin i-wroȝt niȝt and dai we aȝt sore quake whan we it sold þench in ure þoȝt Þe sixte dai ne lef ich noȝt [ 85] [ VI.] wan þes montis and þes hille al for soþ hit wurþ ibroȝt þes depe dalis for to fille þer nis castel no ture none [ 89] þat euer was no be salle imakid was of lime and ston þat ne sal adun to-falle no no tre in erþ so fast [ 93] mid al har rotis so fast ipiȝt þat ne sal adun to-berst þilk silue dai er hit be niȝt Þe sefþe dai hit sal grow aȝe [ 97] [ VII.] har crop adun har rote an hei such wondris we sul i-se for god-is wreþ þat sit an hei þe iren sul blede. a wonder þing [ 101] þe þing þat bodi no flesse naþ non for dred of þe heuen king vnkundlich þing ded sal don þan sal dei boþe poure and riche [ 105] ne sal þan þer wiþ stond no þing al we sul ben ilich boþe kniȝt and barun. erl. and. king ne sal þer help castel no ture [ 109] palfrei chasur no no stede no for al is moch honoure þat he ne worþ wel sone dede Þe eiȝt dai so is dotus [ 113] [ VIII.] and þat ful wel þou salt se ful of tene and angus al þis dai so sal be

al þe see sal draw ifere [ 117] as a walle to stond up riȝt and al þos watris þat beþ here sal crie merci up god al miȝt þe fissis þat beþ þer in iwroȝt [ 121] þe see so hard sal ham to-driue þat hi wol wene in her þoȝt þat god of heuen nis noȝt aliue þan þe see sal draw aȝe [ 125] in to þe stid þer hit was and euch uerisse watir þan sal he be com to is owni plas þe ix tokin sal be þus [ 129] [ IX.] þe wonderis þat worþ þilk dai ouer al þat oþer sal deuers wate hit is ich ȝow tel mai þe holi man telliþ seint austin [ 133] þat þe skeis so sal spec þan wan al þing so sal hab fine in steuen as hit wer man hi sul grede lude wiþ al [ 137] in uois of man up god to cri as heuen and erþe sold to fal god and man nouþ merci louerd merci of miȝt [ 141] nouþ is al ur time ispend for sinful man-is ein siȝt ne let us neuer ben ischend þer nis no seint in heuen abow [ 145] in al god-is ferred þat þer of ne sal amoue and of þilk tokin be aferd þus vs telliþ seint Ieronime [ 149] and seint gregori al so þat þan sal quake seraphin and cherubin. þat beþ angles two þer nis in heuen angil iwis [ 153] þat to oþer sal hab spech

so sore i-worþ adrad iwis of ihsu crist-is gremful wreche al þe fendis þat beþ in hel [ 157] wiþ grete din hi wol com þan har mone þou salt hire ful wel hou hi sul cri to god and man O: man and womman þou take hede [ 161] hou þe fentis sul men har mone wel aȝtist þe faire to lede wile þou art in þis wreche wone vp ihsu crist hi sulle cri [ 165] wiþ such a steuen of pine and wo louerd ȝif vs ur herbegi aȝe to helle. let us neuer go Þe .xi. dai fure windis sul rise [ 169] [ XI.] and þe reinbow þan sal fal þat al þe fentis sal of agris and be ifesid in to helle for wolny nulni hi sul fle [ 173] and þat in to þe pine of helle maugrei ham þer hi mot be wiþ duble pine þer in to dwel þe .xii. dai þe fure. elemens sul cri [ 177] [ XII.] al in one heiȝ steuene merci ihsu fiȝ mari as þou ert god and king of heuene.

(End of the fragment.)

III. THE FALL AND PASSION.

(Harl. MS. 913, back of p. 29.)

Þe grace of god ful of miȝt . þat is king an euer was: [For the a' (= and), an is printed here.] [ 1] mote amang us aliȝt . an ȝiue vs alle is swet grace. me to spek an ȝou to lere . þat hit be worsip lord to þe: [ 3] me to teche an ȝou to bere . þat helplich to ure sowles be.

þat ic mote wiþ moch worþing . þroȝ is miȝt so hit ful fille: [ 5] to ȝov schow is vp-rising . if hit be his swet wille. al þat god suffrid of pine . hit nas noȝt for is owne gilt: [ 7] ok hit was man for sin þine: þat wer for sin in helle ipilt. þo lucifer steiȝ in pride . þat was angel in heuen so briȝte: [ 9] vte of heuen he gan glide . an in to helle sone he liȝte. an wiþ him mani an mo . þat no tunge ne miȝt tell: [ 11] wiþ him fille adune al so: in to þe derk pit of helle. Seue daies a seue niȝt . as ȝe seeþ þat falliþ snowe: [ 13] vte of heuen hi aliȝt . an in to helle wer iþrow. for þe prude of lucifer . þe teþe angle fille in to helle: [ 15] an al þat to him boxum were . euer in pine hi mot dwelle. har stides for to ful fille . þat wer i-falle for prude an hore: [ 17] god makid adam to is wille . to fille har stides þat wer ilor. Skil resun an eke miȝt . he ȝef adam in his mode: [ 19] to be stidfast wiþ al riȝt . an leue þe harme an do gode. god ȝaf him a gret maistre . of al þat was in watir an londe: [ 21] of paradis al þe balye . whan him likid to is honde. foules . bestis . an þe frute . saf o tre he him forbede: [ 23] of paradis þe grete dute: an ȝit he sinied þroȝ iuil red. to him þe deuil had envie . þat he in his stid schold be broȝte: [ 25] a serpent he com þroȝ felonie . an makid eue chonge hir þoȝt whi com he raþer to eue . þan he com to adam. [ 27] ichul ȝou telle sires be leue . for womman is lef euer to man. womman mai turne man-is wille. whare ȝho wol pilt hir to: [ 29] þat is þe resun an skille . þat þe deuyl com hir first to. Ette he seid of þis appil . if þat þou wolt witti be: [ 31] þe worþ as witti of miȝt an wille: as god him silf in trinite hi nad bot þat appil i-ȝette . þat þe sin nas ido: [ 33] glad was þe deuil wol ȝe i-wit . for þe sorow þat he sold to. of paradis hi wer ute pilt . wiþ trauail har liuelode to winne: [ 35] an vte flemid for har gilt . an neuer efte paradis to com inne. In þe vale of eboir . his liuelod he most swink sore: [ 37] wiþ sorow an care an dreri won . he liued .ix.c. ȝer an more. aftir is lif þat he had here . nedis he most wend to helle: [ 39] for þe trepas þat he did here . þere he most bide an dwelle. God makid mankin more . ok to helle þe deuil ham broȝt: [ 41] þat euir ham traiid þroȝ is lore . non fram him scapid noȝt.

god is prophetis to ham send . an seid hov hi sold be sauid: [ 43] as bi Moyses þat am wend . a-ȝe þe propheci ȝit i-sinid. god wist wel bi þilk say . þat bi no man þat was y-cor: [ 45] whan bi prophetis no bi lai . þat communelich hine wer for-lor. holi bok is fort fulfil . god is angle anon forþ send: [ 47] as bi angle gabriel . þat to þe maid was iwend. flees he took of maid mari . god an man-is kund to gadir: [ 49] an þat was a gret maistri . þat þe doȝtir ber þe fader. maid bere heuen king . þat is al ure creatoure: [ 51] maid ber þe swet þing . þer for sso ne les noȝt hir flure. God him ȝed an erþ here . xxxti winter an somdel mo: [ 53] as holi writ vs gan lere . he suffrid boþe pine an wo. man aȝens god so gilt . to heuen non sowle ne miȝte: [ 55] fort god-is sone in rode was pilt . an wan vs heuen liȝt. Iudas ne cuþe is lord noȝt hold . his owen disciple ȝit he was: [ 57] for xxx peniis he him sold . ynom an ibund he was. he was ibobid an i-smitte . an hi spette in is face: [ 59] he bede him rede if he cuþe witte . woch of ham al hit was. he was ibund to a tre . an ibet wiþ scurges kene: [ 61] þat al þe blode vt gan fle: ouer al is bodi hit was sene. Siþ hi nom him as a þef . an lad him bi-for pilate: [ 63] for he nas noȝt to ham lef . hi had to him grete hate. pilat bed ham do har best . a-ȝe þe law be he nold: [ 65] for no gilt bi him he nist . war for deþ suffri he ssold. hi nailed him in hond an fete . as ȝe mow al i-se: [ 67] for þe appil þat adam ete: deþ he þolid opon þe tre. þe wikkid men nol leue noȝt . þat he wer fullich ded so: [ 69] fort þer wiþ a sper hi ad him soȝt . an clef is swet hert atwo. þer was in þe lond a kniȝt . þat het ȝosep of arimathie: [ 71] þat louid ihsu wel ariȝt . an þoȝt is wel to honuri. he wend to pilat swiþe snel . an be-soȝt him mercy: [ 73] if hit wer is wil . þe bodi grant biri. þo pilat had igrant is luue . glade y-noȝ ho was: [ 75] he nem þat swet bodi adun . an biriid hir in a fair plas. his moder stode him be side . an s^t. jon ek al so: [ 77] bitter teris vte gan glide . hir þoȝt hir hert wol a two. hit nas no wonder þoȝ ȝo wep . for hir swet child alowe: [ 79] wiþ nailes he was i-smit dep . wiþ sper hi delet him in two.

al hir ioi was ago . þo ȝo him sei dei in rode: [ 81] for to wep ȝe nad no mo . bot iiii bitter teris of blode. who spekiþ of deil a-ȝe þat del . neuer such nas þer none: [ 83] as whan þat hi him be-held . as ȝho makid an seint Jon. siþ hi seid at one mouþe . þat he wolde destru temple an chirche: [ 85] an þat he was wel couþe . þat al falsnis schold wirche. an vp pilat hi cried apan . eu[ri]chon at one vois: [ 87] þat he schold hold barabam . an do ihsu on þe crois. In þis manere he was ipinsed . as his swet wil hit was: [ 89] an deþ for mankyn suffred . þe þrid dai vp he ros. after þat he liȝt in to helle . þer al þe sowles wer i-wisse: [ 91] al his frendis he broȝt vt alle . in to ioi an heuen blis. Whan in helle was seint ion . patriarkes an oþer mo: [ 93] hit isene þer scapid non . profetis þat god louid al so. al in helle were i-fast . fort ihsu crist þroȝ is miȝte: [ 95] of þe pit vte he ham cast . an broȝt ham to heuen lyȝt. þroȝ is deþ he ouer cam . as he is manhed siwed: [ 97] as profetis prechid in his name . so þat he deþ suffrid. þo he rose fram deþ to liue . as telliþ daui þe king: [ 99] is godhed he gan to kiþe . holy boke telliþ is up-rising. ihsu was sikir inoȝ . þat seid erlich. ic wol riȝt me: [ 101] an asnward wiþ vt woȝ . after þat deþ ouercom be. þe .iii. dai he ros to liue . is lore riuedlich he send: [ 103] his deciplis he makid bliþe . þer after in þe world ham send. of his lore forto preche . hou hi lord ssold siu þe: [ 105] an þe sinful folk to tech . hou meri hit is to wiþ þe be. an after he steiȝ to heuen aboue . þer ioi is þat euer lest: [ 107] an þer he sal al vs loue . in his swet blisful fest. amen.

IV. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: against swearing, Sunday trading &c.

(Harl. MS. 913, p. 31 back.)

Nou ihsu for þi derworþ blode: þat þou schaddist for mankyn: [ 1] ȝif vs grace to wirch workis gode . to heuen þat we mot enter inn. Man and womman ic red be ware . ȝure gret oþis þat ȝe be leue: and bot ȝe nul god nel ȝou spare . boþe lif and catel he wol ȝou reue.

hit nis no wonder for soþ i wisse: þat gret wreche ne falliþ þer fore: [ 5] for we ne leuiþ of al is limmes . þat we ne habbiþ ham for-swore. man is wors þan eni hunde . oþer he is to wild and wode: þat we ssold edwite is worþi wound . þat he þolid for vre gode. be a ware whose euer wol . al quelme and sorow þat euir is: at þen end so find we sulle . þat for man-is sin it is [ 10] ic rede þat euch be ware i-wis . in as moch as þe is man: whan ȝe sweriþ gret oþis . in rode þou piltist him apan. God commandid to ysay . þat he ssold wend and prech: þat was in þe hil of syna . hou he ssold þe folke tech. and to ssow ham god-is defens: boþe to ȝung and to olde. [ 15] of þe .x. commandemens . whos wold be sauid ham ssold hold. Þe first comondement is þis . o god we ssul honuri: [ I.] þe heiȝ king of heuen blis . his name wiþ wirssip to worþi. loue þou him as he doþ þe . wiþ al þi miȝt an þi þoȝt: we auȝt ful wel for hit was he . þat vs wrecchis so dere boȝt. [ 20] more harm is we doþ noȝt so . we louid þe ful dritte of grunde: alas wrecchis whi do we so . hit mai noȝt hold vre lif a stunde: ve beþ hi þe deuil be tauȝt . þat liuiþ op goddis mo þan one: and makiþ goddis þroȝ wichcraft . þai ssul al to þe deuil gone. Þe secunde so is þis . sundai wel þat ȝe holde: [ II. 25] to serue god þilk dai wis . boþe ȝung and eke olde. and now þe sundai opunlich . men holt al har cheping: wonder þat gode ne sent wreech . al an erþe vp mankyn. þe þrid is. fader moder to honuri . for euch man aȝt ful wel: [ III.] moch ten suffrid hi: her hi miȝt bring þe wrecche to wel. [ 30] hit falliþ bi children þat beþ quede: as fariþ bi been in hiue: whan fader ȝuief ham londe and leede: þe ȝung wol þe old ut driue: þe verþ. loue þi neiȝbore . as þine owe bodi: non oþer þou him wil: [ IV.] þe fift wit þe fram licheri: þe sixt is no gode of man þou ne stel. [ V. VI.] þe .vii. manslaȝt þou ne be: ne coueit noȝt neuer adel [ VII. 35] þoȝ þou be stuter þan is he: no is wif no is catel. [ VIII. IX.] fals witnes þou ne ber . for to destrei pouer no riche: [ X.] sore and bitter þe soule sal der . for hit bemineþ heuen-riche. besech we him mild of mode . þat sok þe milk of maid-is brest: þat boȝt vs wiþ is der blod . ȝiue vs euer in heuen rest. Amen. [ 40]

[Lollai .l. litil child: whi wepistou so sore,—which has been printed elsewhere—follows.]

V. FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS.

(Harl. MS. 913, f. 48 and 22.)

1.

Þe king of heuen mid us be þe fend of helle fram us te to dai and euir more: to dai me ȝiue gode beginninge þe king of houen to worþing and speken of is lore.

2.

and þat ȝe hit mote vnderstonde þe fend to mochil schame and schonde þis predicacioune. and þat ȝe hit hold mote bodi and soule to mochil bote and to saluacioune.

3.

Alle we beþ meiis and mowe and of one foule erþe i-sowe who so hit wold vnderstonde þis world-is wel nis bot wowe þis wrecche lif nis bot a þrow al dai hit is gond.

4.

Man . ne be þou neuer so riche be-hold whom þou art iliche whan þou ert al nakid be-þench þat þou salt i-worþe and for-roti to axin and erþe whar of þou ert makid

5.

Clansi þe of þi misdede and lerne welle þi lif to lede þe while þou art aliue. to nene frend þou nab triste bot to one ihesu criste to child no to wiue.

6.

Mi leue frendis ic ȝou bi-seche ȝung . old . poure and reche herkenþ to god-is speche:

in þe name of god. and S. marie ȝoure sinful lif to amendie to-dai ic wol ȝow teche.

7.

And þat he me let so wel to spek to dai þe deuil-is staf to brek an wiþ him so to fiȝte. þerto . par charite ic ȝou crie a pater noster . and aue marie in þe name of god al-miȝte.

8.

Þat pees þat is in god-is huse to dai be a-mangis vse þroȝ is holi grace: þat me giue lif. and gode ending and to ȝou ȝiue gode lusting in þis silue place.

9.

God him silf seiiþ in his gospel mi leue frendis ic wol ȝou tel nimiþ to me gome: o worde ic ȝou lie nelle of heuen blis no pine of helle no of riche dome.

10.

and of þe herrid sinnes seuene whar for men lesiþ heuene ic wol ȝou nemeni alle and har namis ic wol ȝou teche and hou hi wol men bi-peche and make ham to falle.

First at prude i wol be-gin . for hit is heuid of al sinne. [ 1] [ I.] ic hit wol ȝou do to wit . in holi boke hit is i writ. [[Pride.]] Lucifer þat was so briȝte . þat fairist was of al wiȝte. [ 3] wiþ oute god in heuen nas . non so fair als he was. nas neuer non so fule ifund . as he in helle liþ abund. [ 5] nad he no more gilte . whar for he was of heuen ipilte a litil prude him was in-com . þer-for god him hauiþ be-nome. [ 7] heuen blisse þat euer sal last . and in to helle he is cast. þer he sal woni euer more . and is prude abigge wel sore. [ 9] alas. man whi artu prute . whannin commiþ þi fair schrute.

mid whate þou art ischrid aboute. noȝte of þe man boute doute. [ 11] þine owen schond þou werist an . þat heliþ þi fleis and þi bone. ic wol þat þou iwit wel . hit nis bote a hori felle. [ 13] þat is þine owen riȝt wede . beþenche þe man and hab drede. man and womman vnderstond þis . be-tak euch beste his. [ 15] þat ert so fair mid bi gon . linin. wollin. glouis. and schone. þat þou art in hit so prute . ne sal þe leue neuer a cloute. [ 17] þer-for man ic þe bede. worldlich prude in hert and dede. and lede þi lif bi godis rede . to loui god and hab drede. [ 19] þat þou be gode-is sone . and him to queme at þe dome. Coueitise is þat oþer . herkne nov leue broþer. [ 21] [ II.] þer is mani man bi peiȝte . so þe fend him hauiþ iteiȝte. [Couei∣tise.]] þe man þat is coueituse . ne commiþ he neuer to god-is huse. [ 23] suche þer beþ al to fele . þat louiþ more þis world-is welle. þan god þat haþ ham of erþe iwroȝte. and so swithe dere ham boȝte. [ 25] he nel is catel spen in wast . ac euer he hit witiþ fast. he nold þat aliue nere . none so riche as he were. [ 27] and euer so he hauiþ more . þe faster he gaderiþ to store. and euer he wol is lif so lede . in mochel sorow and in drede. [ 29] nel he neuer hab rest . is mochil mukke to witi fast. þat ne mai in him slepe cum . lest is mukke be him be nome. [ 31] leuer him wer ȝiue of is blode . þan ani man of is gode. nel he of oþir þing hede . but is fule bodi fede. [ 33] mid is siluir and is gold . noȝt is soule þat he schold. a-pan is muk he sit a-brode . he þat þus doþ mid is gode. [ 35] he ne þenchith noȝt in is end . þat he sal of þis world wend. and vnderstonde noȝt he nelle. what he is no whoder he schel. [ 37] his catel he weniþ witi wel . oc in his soule þenche he nelle. with is siluir and is gold . he weniþ euer is lif hold. [ 39] whan he weniþ liuie wel . mid deþ adun fal he schel. þe deuil benimiþ him is breþ . moch sorow þan he him deþ. [ 41] for is gode þe fend him deriiþ . and is soul to helle he feriiþ. þe deuil is his executur . of is gold and is tresure. [ 43] þat he so moch trist to . loke nou hou he is ago. þerfor man in alle wise . ic þe for-bede coueitise. [ 45] to world-is wel nab þou no triste. hit went awei so doþ þe miste. her it is and her hit nis . al so fareþ þe world-is blis. [ 47] ne be he neuer so riche . whan he liþ a cold liche.

if he hauiþ an old clute. he mai be swiþe prute. [ 49] whar mid i-helid he sal be . þat noman nakid him ise. of what he gadred an is was. nis þis rewþ. alas. alas. [ 51] Þe þrid sin so is onde . þat mochil nuþe is in lond. [ III.] and euir hi quemiþ þe fend of helle. in woch maner ic wol ȝou tel. [ 53] leue breþerin herkniþ now. and ic wol ȝou tell how. world-is wel falliþ vnliche. and noȝt euch man ilich. [ 55] sum þer beþ þat cun noȝt libbe. sum þat hauiþ frendis sibbe. and sum þer beþ þat swinkiþ sore. winne catel to hab more. [ 57] ham silf fair to susteni. and euer more hi beþ nedi. and sum þer beþ leue broþer. þat more haþ þan anoþer. [ 59] and more loue of gode man . anoþer wol after þan. areri cuntake.

[ends abruptly.]

VI. CHRIST ON THE CROSS. (A fragment.)

(Harl. MS. 913, f. 28.)

Respice in faciem christi tui &c. Augustinus.

pendens nudatum pectus. rubet sanguineum latus. regia pallent ora. decora languent lumina. crura pendent marmorea. rigat terre beatos pedes sanguinis unda. De istis auctoritatibus anglicum.

Be-hold to þi lord man. whare he hangiþ on rode. [ 1] and weep if þou miȝt. teris al of blode. and loke to is heued. wiþ þornis al be-wonde. and to is felle so bi-spette. and to þe sper-is wnde. bi-hold to is brest nakid. and is blodi side. [ 5] stiniith is armis. þat sprad beþ so wide. his fair lere falowiþ. and dimmiþ is siȝte. þer-to is hendi bodi. on rode so is y-tiȝte. his lendin so hangiþ. as cold as marbre stone. for luste of lechuri. nas þer neuer none. [ 10] be-hold to is nailes. in hond and ek in fote. and how þe stremis erniþ. of is swet blode. be-ginne at is heued. and loke to is to. þou ne findest in is bodi. bot anguis and wo.

turne him uppe. turne him doune. þi swete lemman. [ 15] ouer al þou findist him. blodi oþer wan. Dilexit nos et lauit nos a peccatis nostris in sanguine suo &c. Leue for þe mi brest nakid. schiniþ glisminge. mi side dep istunge. mi hondes sore bleding.

Quid misericordius ualet intelligi ipsi peccatori eternis tormentis dampnato et vnde se redimat non habenti quam ut dicat deus ipse peccatori . Dicit vero deus pater . Accipe unigenitum meum et da pro te . et ille filius tolle me et redime te. Anglicum expone.

Man þou hast þe for-lor. and ful neiþ to helle ibor. wend a-ȝe and com to me. and ic wol underfang þe. [ 20] for first ic makid þe of. noȝt. and siþ dere þe i-boȝt. whan ic mi lif ȝef for þe. and i-hang was on tre. &c.

O homo; vide quid pro te patior sicut est dolor sicut dolor quo crucior. ad te clamo qui pro te morior. uides penas quibus afficior. uide clauos quibus confodior. si est tantus dolor exterior. interius est planctus grauior.

Man bi-hold what ic for þe. þolid up þe rode tre ne mai no kinnes wo be mare. þan min was þo ic heng þare. hire me man to þe gredind. for loue of þe biter deiend. [ 25] loke mi pinis biter and strang. wan ic was nailed þroȝ fot and hond. for þe ic had hard stundes. dintes grete and sore wondes. for þe biter drink ic dronk. and þou cunnest me no þonk. wiþ-vte ic was ipinid sore. wiþ-in ic was mochil more. for þou nelt þonk me. þe loue þat ich schowid þe &c. [ 30]

[end.]

VII. A RHYME-BEGINNING FRAGMENT.

(Harl. MS. 913, f. 58.)

Loue hauiþ me broȝt in liþir þoȝt. þoȝt ic ab to blinne: blinne to þench hit is for noȝt; Noȝt is loue of sinne. Sinne me hauiþ in care ibroȝt. broȝt in mochil vn-winne:

winne to weld ic had i-þoȝt; þoȝt is þat ic am inne. In me is care. how i ssal fare. fare ic wol and funde. fare ic wiþ outen are ar i be broȝt to grunde.

VIII. A MORAL ODE.

(Egerton MS. 613, fol. 7-12; later copy, fol. 64-70.)

1.

Ic [Ich.] aem aelder þaenne ic [The w is the Anglo-Saxon þ, the & the 7. The hyphens and commas are not in the MS. Some of the metrical points are inserted from the later MS.] waes [þen ich wes.] . a winter [awintre.] and a lore ic waelde more þanne ic dude. mi wit ah to ben more

2.

Wel lange ic habbe child iben [ibeon. a weorde.] . a worde & ec [ech.] a dede þech [þeh.] ic beo a wintre eald. to ȝung ic [tu ȝyng.] eom at [a.] rede

3.

Vnnvwt [Vn-nut.] lyf ic habbe ȝe-laed [habb ilaed.] . & ȝuet me þinh [þincþ.] ic lede þanne ic me bi-þanche [þenche.] . wel sore ic me adrede

4.

Mest al þaet ic habbe ydon. ys idelnesse and chilce wel late ic habbe me [me.] bi-þoht. bute me god do milce

5.

Fele ydele word ic hable i-queþen. syðen [iqueden. syððen.] ic speke cuþe & fele ȝuinge deden [ȝunge dede.] i-do. þat [þe.] me of þinchet nuþe

6.

Al to lome ic habbe a-gult. a werche [weorche.] & ec a worde al to muchel ic habbe i-spend. to litel y-leid an horde

7.

Mest al þat me likede aer. nu it me mys likeð [mis-lichet.] þe muchel folȝeþ his y-wil. him sulfne he bi-swikeð

8.

Ic myhte [Ich mihte.] habbe bet i-don. hadde ic þer [þo.] y selþe nu ic wolde, ac ic ne mai. for elde ne for un-helþe

9.

Elde [Ylde.] me is bi-stolen on. aer ic hit a-wuste ne myht ic isen be-fore me. for smeke ne for myste

10.

Arȝe [aerwe.] we beoþ to done god. to vuele [yfele.] al to þriste more eie stont [stent.] man of manne. þanne him det [do.] of criste

11.

Þe wel ne deþ þe hwile he mei. wel oft hit hym scael ruwen þenne hy mowen sculen & ripen. þer þe hi aer seowen

12.

Don ec to gode wet ȝe muȝe. þa hwile ȝe buð a life ne hopie no man to muchel. to childe ne to wyfe

13.

Þe him selue for-ȝut for wife. oþer [oðer.] for childe he sael comen [sceal cume.] on vuele stede. bute hym god be [beo.] milde

14.

Sende ec [aech.] sum god be-foren hym. þe hwyle ȝe ben aliue [hwile he mei to heuene.] for betere his on almesse before. þaune ben after vyue [seouene.]

15.

Ne beo þe leure þan þi self [þene þe sulf.] . þi mei ne þi moȝe [maei ne ði maȝe.] [sot is ðe is oðres.] for sot ys þat ys oþer mannes frond. betre þanne his oȝe

16.

Ne hopie wif to hyre were. ne were to his wife bue [beo.] for him selue aefrech [aeurich.] man. þe whyle he bo alife

17.

Wis is þe him sulf be-þenþ [sulfne bi-þencð.] . þa hwile þe he mot [hwile he mote.] libbe for sone willet him for-ȝyten [wulleð hine for-ȝite.] . þe fraemden & þo sibbe

18.

Þe wel ne deþ þe wile he mai. ne scal he wanne [hwenne.] he wolde mani [manies.] mannes sor ȝe swynch. habbet ofte alle vn holde [sare iswinch . habbeð oft unholde.]

19.

Ne solde no man don a ferst. ne sclakien [slawen.] wel to done for mani man bi-hoted [bi-hateð.] wel. he [þe.] it forȝytet sone

20.

Þe man þe wule siker ben. to habbe godes blisse do wel him silf þe wile he mai. þanne haued he it mid [ðen haueð he mid.] ywisse

21.

Þos [þes.] riche men wened ben sikere [weneð beo siker.] . þurh walles [walle.] & þurh diche he ded his eitte on [his a.] sikere stede. þe hi send [þe sent.] to heuene-riche

22.

For þer ne þarf he ben of drad [ðierf beon of dred.] . of fure ne of þeve [þeoue.] þer ne mai it hym bi-nimen [mei hi bi-nime.] . þe loþe ne þe leue [laðe ne ðe leoue.]

23.

Þer ne þerf he habbe kare. of wiue ne of childe þider we sended suuel & bred [sendet & sulf bereð.] . to litel [lite.] & to selde

24.

Þider we solden drawen & don. wel oft & wel ȝe-lome for þer ne scal me us nont binimen [naht bi nime.] . mid wronge ne mid woȝe [mid wrancwise dome.]

25.

Þider we scolde ȝerne drawen & don [& don omitted.] . wolde ȝe me ileue for þer ne mai hit ou bi-nimen [bi-nimen eow.] . þe king ne þe scirreve [ne se ireue.]

26.

Al þat beste þat ge we habbet [þet betste þer we hedde.] . þider we scolde sende for þer we it muwen [mihte.] finden eft. & habben abuten [habbe bute.] ende

27.

Þe þe her det ani god. for to habben [for habbe.] goddes ore al he it scal finden þer. & hundred felde more

28.

Þe þe ehte wile healden wel. þe wile he mai his welden ȝiue his for godes luue. eft heo hit scullen a-finden [þenne deð he his wel ihealden.]

29.

Vre iswinch & ure tilþe. is efte iwuned to swinden ac þat we dot for godes luue. eft we it scullen afinden

30.

Ne scal non vuel [nan uuel.] ben vn-bout. ne non god vn-for-ȝolde vuel we doð al to muchel. & god lasse þanne we scolde

31.

Þe þe mest deð nu to gode. & þe þe lest to laðe ayþer to lutel & to muchel. scal þinchen eft hym baðe

32.

Þer me scal vre werkes weȝen. bi-foren þen heuene kinge & ȝiuen us vre swinches lyen. after vre erninge

33.

Eure ilc man mid þan þe he [he omitted.] haued. mai biggen heueriche þe þe more haued & þe þe lasse. boþe mai iliche

34.

He alse mid his penie. þe þe [se ðe.] oþer mid his punde þat is þe wunder-likeste ȝare [wunder-lukeste ware.] . þat ein man eure funde

35.

And þe þe more ne mai don. bute [bute omitted.] mid his gode þanke al se wel se þe haued. goldes feale manke [marke.]

36.

And god [And oft god.] can more þanc. ðan þe him ȝiued lesse al his werkes & his weies. is milce & ritȝifnesse [rihtwisnesse.]

37.

Lutel loc [lac.] is gode lef. þat comed of gode wille & eð-lete muchel ȝyue. ðenne ðe heorte is ille

38.

Heuene & erþe he ouer-sihð. his eȝen bed so britte sunne. mone. dai. & fur. bud þustre to-ȝenes his lithte

39.

Nis him nout for-hole ni hud. so muchel bet [bið.] his mihte nis it no so derne idon. ne a swa þustre nihte

40.

He wot wat deht [deð.] & þenchet. alle quike wihte nis no louerd swilc se is crist. na king swilc vre drihte

41.

Heuene & herþe & al þat is. be loken in his honde he ded al þat his willes is. a watere & a londe

42.

He makede fisses inne þe see. & fuȝeles inne þe lofte he wit & walt [wealdeð.] alle þing. & he scop alle scefte [ealle ȝe sceafte.]

43.

He is ord abuten orde . & ende abuten ende he one is eure on elche stede . wende war þu wende

44.

He is buuen vs & bi-neþen . bi-foren & bi-hinde þe þe godes wille ðe [deð.] . eiðer he mai him finde

45.

Elche rune he i-hurd . & he wot alle dede he þurð-sihð elches mannes þanc . þat scal us to rede

46.

Þo þe breked godes hese . & gultet so ilome wet sulle hi segge [we seggen.] oþer don . at þe muchele dome

47.

Þo þe [þa ða.] luueden vnriht . & vuel lif ladde wat scullen hi seggen oþer don . þar engles bed of dredde

48.

Hwat sculle we beren bi-foren us [us omitted.] . mid wan sculle we him i-quemen [we cweman.] we þe neure god ne duden . þe heuenliche demen

49.

Þer sculle ben deofles swo fele . þe wulled us for-wreien nabbet hi noþing for-ȝyte . of al þat hi ere seȝen [hi iseȝen.]

50.

Al þat we mis-duden her . hit wullet cuþe þere buten we habben it ibet . þe wile we her were

51.

Al hi habbet an here i-write . þat we mis-duden here þei we it nulten ne i-seien [hi nuste ne ni seȝen.] . hi weren vre i-fere

52.

Hwet scullen horlinges do . þe swikele [swikene.] þe for-sworene wi swo fele beod i-cleped . swa feuwe beod i-corene

53.

Wi hwi were he bi-ȝite . to wan were hi i-borene þe sculle ben to deþe i-demd . & eure mo for-lorene

54.

Elch man scal him sulne þar . bi-clepiean & ec demen [him ðer bi∣clupien . & ech sceal him demen.] his aȝe werc & his iþanc . to witnesce he scal temen

55.

Ne mai hym na man al swa . wel demen ne al sa rithte [ne swa rihte.] for nan ni cnawed him swa wel . buten one dritte

56.

Elc man wot him sulue best . his werc & his i-wille þe þe lest wot, seit ofte mest . & þe þe it wot [ðe ðe hit wat eal.] is stille

57.

Nis no witnesse al so mochel . so mannes howe heorte hwa se segge þat he beo al [hal.] . him self wat best his smerte

58.

Elc man scal him suelf demen . to deþe oþer to liue þe witnesse of his owe werc . to oþer ðis him scal driue

59.

Eal þat eure ilc man haued i-do . sutþe he com to manne swilc hit seie on boc [si aboc] i-writen . he scal it þenche þanne [iðenche ðenne.]

60.

Ac drithte ne demed nanne man . after his bi-ginninge ac his [ac al his.] lib scal beo swilc . se bued his endinge

61.

Ac ȝif þe ende is euel, al it is uuel . & al god [& god.] , ȝif god is ende [þenne.] god ȝuue þat ure end beo god . & wite þet he us lende [lenne.]

62.

Þe men þe nele do no god . ne neure god lif leden aer ded [dieð.] & dom come to [aet.] his dure . he mai sore a-dreden

63.

Þat he ne muwe þenne bidde ore . for it itit ilome þi he is wis þe bit & be-ȝit [ðe beot & beat.] . & bet be-fore dome

64.

Þenne ded is ate [deað is aet his.] dure . wel late he biddet ore wel late he leted vuel weorc . þe hit ne mai do na mare

65.

[st. 65 is omitted. abit=abides, waits.] Sunne let þe, & þu naht hire, þanne þus ne miht do no more for-þi he is sot, þe swa abit, to habbe goddes hore

66.

Þeh hweðer we it iluuet wel . for drihte sulf hit sede a wulche time so eure þe man . of-þinchet his mis-dede

67.

Oþer later oþer raþer . milce he scal i-meten ac þe þe nout naued [nafð naht.] ibet . wel muchel he scal beten

68.

Mani man seid wo recke of pine . þe scal habben ende ne bidde ic no bet beo a-lused [ilusd.] . a domesdai of bende

69.

Lutel wat he hwat is pine . & lutel he it icwoweð [icnaweð.] wilc hete is þer soule wunet . hu biter wind þer blouwet

70.

Hadde he ibeon þer anne dai . oþer twa bare tide nolde he for al middan eard . þe þridde þer abide

71.

Þat habbet ised þat comen þanne . þit wuste mid iwisse uuel is pine seoue ȝer . for seoue nihtes blisse

72.

And ure blisse þe ende hafh . for endeliese pine betre is wori water to drinke [weter idrunke.] . þenne atter i-menge mid wine

73.

Swunes brede is swuþe swete . so is of wilde dere ac al to duere he i-buȝed [hi biȝð.] . þat ȝiued þere-fore his swere

74.

Ful wombe mai liht-liche speken . of hunger & of fasten swa mai of pine þe naht not . hu hi scullen ilesten [hu pine sceal alesten.]

75.

Hadde he ifonded sume hwile [Hedde his a-fanded sume stunde.] . he wolde al seggen oþer eð-lete him were . wif . & child . suster . & fader . & broþer

76.

[Stanza 76 is omitted.] Al he wolde oþerluker don . & oþerluker þenche ȝanne he bi-þouhté on helle fur . þe nowiht ne mai aquenche

77.

Eure he wolde inne wa her . & inne pine [wawe.] wunien wid þan þe mihte helle pine . bi-fluen & bi-scunien

78.

Eð-lete him were al woruldes [eal woruld.] wele . & al eordliche [eordliche blisse.] for to þe muchele murcð cume . þat is heuenriche [cume . ðis murhðe mid iwisse.]

79.

I [Ich.] wulle nu comen eft to þe dome . þat [þe.] ic eow er of sede on þat dai, & at þe dome . us helpe crist & rede

80.

þþ*er we maȝen beon eðe of drad [dredde.] . & harde us adrede þer elc sceal i-seo bi-foren him . his word & ec his dede

81.

Eal scal ben þanne [ðen ðenne.] cud . þat man luȝen her & stelen al scal ben þer vnwrien . þat men wruȝen her & helen

82.

We scullen alre manne lif . icnawe þer al so vre owe þer sculle heueninges ben . þe heiȝe & þe louȝe

83.

Ne scal þei noman scamien þer . ne þerf he him adrede ȝif him here of-þinched his gult . & beted his misdede

84.

For heom ne scamet ne ne gramet . þe sculle beon iboruwene [iboreȝe.] ac þe oþre habbet scame & grame . þat sculle beon forlorene [. & oðer fele sorȝe.]

85.

Þe dom scal sone ben idon . ne last he nowit longe ne scal him noman mene þer . of strengþe ne of wrange

86.

Þo scullen habben hardne dom . þe here weren herde þa þe euele heolden wreche men . & vuele laȝes rerde [arerde.]

87.

Ac [and.] after þan þe [omit þe and he.] scal þer beon idemed bliþe mai he þanne buen . þe god haued [hafð wel.] iquemed

88.

Alle þo þat isprunge beð . of adam & of eue ealle he sculle þuder come . for soþe we it ileued

89.

Þo þe habbed wel idon . after heore mihte to heuenriche [scule faren.] he scullen . ford mid vre drihte

90.

Þo þe nabbeð god idon . & þer-inne beð ifunde he scullen falle swiþe raþe . in to helle grunde

91.

Þaer [hi wunie sculen a & buten ende.] inne he scullen wunie . buten ore & ende ne brecð neuereuft crist helle dure . to lese hem [for lese hi.] of bende

92.

Nis no sellic þei heom beo wo . & hem beo [un ieðe.] vneþe [sceal neure.] nele neureit crist þolie deð . for lesen heom of dieþe

93.

Enes drihte helle brac . his frend he ut broutte him self he þolede dieð for hom . wel dore he us bouhte

94.

Nolde it mouwe don for mey [mei.] . ne suster for broþer nolde it sune don for fader . ne noman for oþer

95.

Ure [Vre ealre.] lauerd for his þreles . ipined was on rode ure bendes he unbond . & bouht us mid his blode

96.

We ȝieued vneþe for his louue . a sticche of vre brede ne þenche we nout þat he scal deme . þo [omits these.] quike & to [omits these.] dede

97.

Muchele luue he us cudde . wolde we it understonde þat vre eldrene mis-duden . we habbet vuele an honde

98.

Dieð com in þis middenerd . þurh þe ealde deofles onde & synne & sorȝe & ȝe-swinch . a watere & ec [omits these.] alonde

99.

Vres formes faderes gult . we abigget alle al his of-sprunge after hym . in herme is bi-falle

100.

Þurst . & hunger . chule . & hete . eche & al unelþe [unhelðe.] þurh dieð com in þis middenerd . & oþer vnisalþe [uniselðe.]

101.

Niere no [omits these.] man elles dieð . ne sic . ne non [un sele.] vn-ysele ac mihten libbe eure mo . a blisse & on hele

102.

Lutel iþenchð mani man . hu muchel wes þe synne for [whan ealle þolied dieð.] þan þolied alle died . þe comen of here cunne

103.

Here sunne & ec vre owen . sore us mai of þinche for in [omits these.] synne we libbet alle [alle her.] . in sorewen & in swinche

104.

Sudþe god nam swa muchele wreche . for ane misdede þe þat so muchel & swa [omits these.] oft mis doð . muȝen us sore [eaðe.] adrede

105.

Adam & his of-spring . for one bare sunne was fele hundred wintre in helle . in pine & in vnwunne

106.

And þo þe leded here lif | mid vnriht & mid [omits these.] wronge bute it godes milce do | sculle beo þer wel longe

107.

Godes wisdom is wel muchel . & al swa is his mihte & nis his milce nawiht lasse . ac bi ðes ilke wihte

108.

More he one mai for-ȝiuen . þenne alfolc gulte cunne deofel suelf [omits these.] mihte habbe milce . ȝif he it [bigunne.] bidde gunne

109.

Þe ðe godes milce sechð. iwis he mai is finde ac helle kinge is [are lies.] oreles. wið þa þe he mai binde

110.

Þe ðe deþ his wille mest. he haueþ wurst mede his beað scal beo wallinde pich. his bed berninde glede

111.

Wurs he deð his gode wiues [wines.] . þene his fulle feonde god sculde alle godes frend | a wihd scuche [swiche.] freonde

112.

Neure on helle ic ne com | ne comen ic þer ne reche ðeh ich elches wurldes wele. þer inne mihte fecche

113.

Þeh ic wulle seggen eow. þat wise men ut [us.] sede and aboke [hi hit write.] it is i-write. þer me mai it rede

114.

Ic it wulle segge heom | þe hem self it nusten & warnen heom wit heore hearme [unfreme.] . ȝif hi me wulled lusten

115.

Vnder-stondet nu to me. aeidi [ȝedi.] men & earme Ic wulle telle of helle pine. & warnie ow wið herme

116.

On helle is vnger & þerst. vuele tuo ifere þos pine þolied þo. þe were mete niþinges here

117.

þor is woninge [wanunge.] & wop. after eche strete hi fared fram hete to þe chele. fram chele to þe hete

118.

Þanne hi beod in þe hete. þe chele [chelecheð blisse.] ðinchet blisse þenne hi comeð eft to chele. of hete hi habbed misse

119.

Aiþer hem deð wa inou. nabbet hi none lisse nuten hi weþer ded wurst. mid neure non [wheðer him deð wurs mid nane.] iwisse

120.

Hi walked eure & sechet reste. ac hi ne muȝen imeten [mugen imete.] for þi hi nolden þo [þi ði nolden.] wile | hi mithten here sunne beten [bete.]

121.

Hi seched reste þer non nis. ac [ac and al omitted.] þi ne muwen ifinde [hi finde.] ac walked weri up & dun. al [ac and al omitted.] se water deð mid winde

122.

Þis beod þo þe weren her. on þonke vn-stedefaste & þo god bi-heten auht. & nolden it ilaste

123.

Þo ðe god weorc bigunne. & ful enden hit nolden þe [nu.] weren her. & nuþe þer. & nusten wet he [hi.] wolden

124.

Þere is pich þat eure wealð. þat sculle baþien inne þo þe ladde vuel lif. in feoh [feoht.] end in iginne

125.

[The later MS. transposes the stanzas 125 and 126, and begins 125 with: Þis is þe.] Þer is fur þat eure barnð. ne mai hit nawiht quenche her-inne beod þe wes to lef. wrecche men to swenche

126.

Þer is fur þat is vndredfelde | hatere þanne beo vre [hundred fealde hattre ðen vre.] ne mai it quenchen salt water. nauene strien [striem.] ne sture [i. e. nor Avon stream nor Stour.]

127.

Þo þe were swikele men. & fulle of vuele wrenche þo þe ne mihte euel don. & lef was it to [wes to.] þenche

128.

Þo þe luueden reuing & stale. hordom. & drunke & þe [a.] on þes deofles weorkes | bliþeliche swunke

129.

Þo þe were so lease. þat me hi ne mihte ileuen med ȝeorne domes men. & wrancwise reuen [ireue.]

130.

Þe oþre mannes wif wes lef. his awene eð-lete & þo þe sunegede muchel. on drunke & on [a drunken & en.] ete

131.

Þe wrecchen bi-nemen hure ehte. & leiden huere on horde [Þe wrecche be-nam his ehte. & leide hes en horde.] þe lutel leten of godes bode [bibode.] . & of godes worde

132.

And of his owen nolde ȝiuen. þer he sei þe nede ne nolde ihuren godes sonde. þer þe [he.] sette his beode

133.

Þo [þa.] þe weren [wes.] oþeres mannes þinc [ðing.] . leure þanne ic scolde & weren al to gredi. of suelfer & [end.] of golde

134.

And þo [þa.] þe vntreunesse deden. ȝam [dude. þam ðe.] hi ahte ben holde & leten þat hi scolde don. & duden þet hi wolde

135.

Þo þe ȝysceres [witteres and omits weren.] weren | of þis woruldes ehte & dude þat þe loþe gost. hem tihte & ec [to.] tauhte

136.

And alle þo [þa.] ðen eni wise. deoflen her iquemde þo beoð nu mid him | an helle for-don & for-dempde

137.

Bute þo [þa.] þe ofþouhte sore. her here [of ðufte sare heore.] mis-deden & gunnen here gultes beten. & betere lif leden

138.

Þeor beð naddren & snaken. eueten & frude [frute.] þa tered & freteð þe uuele speken. þe nihtfulle [nið fulle.] & þe prute

139.

Neure sunne þer ne scinð. ne mone ne steorre þer is muchel godes hete. & muchel godes ȝeorre

140.

Eure þer is vuel smech. þusternesse & eie nis þer neure oþer liht. þanne þe swarte leie

141.

Þer ligget laðliche fend. in stronge raketeie þat buð þe þe were mid gode. on heuene wel heie

142.

Þer buð ateliche fend. & eisliche wihte þos sculle þa wrecchen i-son [i-fon.] . þe sunege þurð [suneȝede ðurh.] sihte

143.

Þer is þe loþe sathanas. & belsebuc þe [belzebud se.] ealde Ieþe he [eaðe hi.] muwen ben of drard. þe hine sculled bi-helde [scule bi∣healde.]

144.

Ne mai non heorte it þenche. ne no [iðenche. ne.] tunge ne can telle hu muchele pine. & [na.] hu vele. senden [sunden.] inne helle

145.

Of [Wið.] þo pine þe þere bued [beoð.] . nelle ic hou nout [eow naht.] leioȝen nis it bute gamen & gleo. al þat man mai here dreoȝen

146.

Ac [End.] ȝet ne deð heom nout so wo. in þo loþe biende [ða laðe bende and omits bute following.] bute þat hi witeð þat heore pine. ne scal neure habben ende

147.

Þer buð þo heþenemen. þe were lawe lese þe heom nas nout of godes bode [þe nes naht of godes bi-bode.] . ne of godes hese

148.

Vuele cristenemen. hi bud here i-vere þo þe heore cristen-dom. vuele heolden here

149.

ȝut hi bud a wurse stede. on þere helle grunde ne sculle hi neure comen vp [vt.] . for marke ne for punde

150.

Ne mai heom noþer helpen þer. i-bede ne almesse for nis noþer inne helle. ore ne forȝiuenesse

151.

Sculde him elc [ech.] man þe wile he mai [muȝe.] . of þos helle pine and warnie aec [ech.] his frend þer wid. so ic habbe mine

152.

Þo þe scilden heom ne cunnen. ic heom wulle teache ich kan beo ȝif i [ich.] scal. lichame & soule liache [leche.]

153.

Lete we þat god for-bet. alle mancunne [manne cunne.] & do þe þat he us hat. & scilde we us wid sunne

154.

Luuie we god mid vre heorte. & mid al vre mihte & vre emcristene alse [eal.] us suelf. swa us lerde drihte

155.

Al þat me rat & singð [raet & eal þat me singð.] . be-fore godes borde al it hanged & bi-halt. bi þisse twam worde

156.

Alle godes lawe he fulð. þe newe & þe [ða.] ealde he þe þos twa luue haued [hafð.] . & wel hi wule healde

157.

Ac hi buð wunder erued helde. swa ofte we [omits we and it.] gulted alle for it is strong to stonde longe. & liht it [omits we and it.] is to falle

158.

Ac drihte crist he ȝiue us strencþe. stonde þat we mote & of alle vre gultes, unne us come [cume to.] bote

159.

We wilnied efter worldes [woruld.] wele. þe longe ne mai ileste & leggeð al ure iswinch. on þinge un-stede-faste [unstedefeste.]

160.

Swunche we for godes luue. half þat we doð for ehte ne were [beo.] we nout swa bi-cherd. ne swa vuele bi-cauhte [bi-kehte.]

161.

ȝif we serueden god. so we doð erninges more we haueden of [hedden en.] heuene. þanne eorles oþer [her &.] kinges

162.

Ne muwen hi her [omits her.] werien heom wid chele. wid þurst. ne wid hunger ne wid elde [ulde. uldre.] , ne wid deð. þe eldre [ulde. uldre.] ne þe ȝeonger

163.

Ac þer nis hunger ne þurst ne deþ. ne vnhelþe ne elde of þisse riche we þenchet oft. & of þere to selde

164.

We scolden alle us bi-þenche. oft & wel ilome hwet we beð. & to þan [beoð to whan.] we sculle. & of wan we come

165.

Hu lutel wile we beð her. hu longe elles ware hwat we muȝen habben her. & whet elles hware [finde þere.]

166.

ȝif we were wise men. þis we scolden iþenche bute we wurþe us iwar. þes worlde us wule for-drenche

167.

Mest alle men he ȝiued drinke. of one deofles scenche he sceal him cunne sculde wel. ȝif he him [hine.] nele screnche

168.

Mid ealm[i]hties [ealmihtiȝes.] godes luue. vte þe us bi-werien wid þes [ðises.] wrecches worldes luue. þat he ne [omit ne.] mawe us derien

169.

Mid fasten. & almesse. & ibede. werie we us wid sunne Mid þo wepnen þe god haued ȝiuen | alle [biȝiten.] mancunne

170.

Laete we þe brode [brade.] stret. & þe [ðene.] wei bene þe lat þe niȝeðe del to helle of manne. & mo ic wene

171.

Go we þene narewe [naerewne.] wei. & þene wei grene þer forð-fareð lutel folc. ac it is feir & scene

172.

Þe brode [brade.] stret is vre iwil. ðe is us lod for to lete [to forlaete.] þe ðe al folewed [eal folȝeð.] his wil. fared bi þusse strete

173.

Hi muwen lihtliche gon . mid ðere nuðer [under.] hulde ðurh ane godliese wude . in-to ane bare felde

174.

Þe narewei is godes hes . þer-forð farð wel feuwe þat buð ða þe heom sculdeð ȝeorne . wid elche un-ðeawe

175.

Þos goð un-ieþe to-ȝeanes [gað unieðe ȝeanes.] þe cliue . aȝean þe heȝe hulle þos leteð al here aȝen wil . for godes hese to fulle

176.

Go we alle þene wei . for he us wulle bringe mid þo faire fewe [te feawe feire.] men . be-foren heuene kinge

177.

Þer is alre meruþe [murhðe.] mest . mid englene songe þe þis [is.] a þusent wintre þer . ne þincð him noht to longe

178.

Þe þe lest haued . haueð [haueð hafð.] so muchel . þat he ne bit no more þe ðe blisse for ðos for-lat . it him mai rewe sore

179.

Ne mai non vuel ne non wane [ne nawane.] . beon inne godes riche ðeh þer beð wunienges [wununges.] fele . elc oþer vn-iliche

180.

Sume þer habbet lasse murhðe . & sume habbed more after þan þe hi [omits hi.] dude her . after þan þe hi swonke [swanc.] sore

181.

Ne scal þer ben bred ne win . ne oþer cunnes este god one [ane.] scal beo eche lif . & blisse . & eche reste

182.

Ne scal þer beo fou [fah.] ne grei . ne cunig ne ermine ne ocquerne [aquierne.] ne martres cheole . ne beuer ne sabeline

183.

Ne scal þer beo sced [scier.] ne scrud . ne woruld wele none al þe murhðe þe me us bi-hat . al it scal beo god one

184.

Ne mai non murhðe beo so muchel . so is godes sihte he is soð sunne & briht . & dai a-buten nihte

185.

He is elches godes ful . nis him noþing ȝit [na wið.] vten no god nis him wane . þe wunied him abuten

186.

Þer is wele abute grame [gane.] & reste abuten swinche þe mai & nele þider come . sore it him scal ofþinche [The later MS. ends here.]

187.

Þer is blisse abuten treȝe . & lif abuten deaþe þe eure scullen wunien þer . bliþe muwen ben eþe

188.

Þer is ȝeoȝeðe bute ulde . & hele abuten vn-helðe nis þer sorewe ne sor . ne neure nan vn-sealþe

189.

Þer me scal drihte sulf i-seon . swa he is mid iwisse he one mai & scal al beo . engle & manne blisse

190.

And ðeh ne beod heore eȝe naht . alle iliche brihte ði nabbed hi nouht iliche . alle of godes lihte

191.

On þisse liue hi neren nout . alle of one mihte ne þer ne scullen hi habben god . alle bi one ȝihte

192.

Þo scullen more of him seon . þe luuede him her more & more icnawen & iwiten . his mihte & his ore

193.

On him hi scullen finden al þat man mai to lesten hali boc hi sculle iseon . al þat hi her nusten

194.

Crist scal one beon inou . alle his durlinges he one is muchele mare & betere . þanne alle oþere þinges

195.

Inoh he haued þe hine haueð . þe alle þing wealdeð of him to sene nis no sed . wel hem is þe hine bi-healdeð

196.

God is so mere & swa muchel . in his godcunnesse þat al þat is. & al þat wes . is wurse þenne he & lesse

197.

Ne mai it neure no man oþer segge mid iwisse hu muchele murhðe habbet þo . þe beod inne godes blisse

198.

To þere blisse us bringe god . þe rixlet abuten ende þenne he vre soule vn-bint . of licames bende

199.

Crist ȝyue us leden her swilc lif . & habben her swilc ende þat we moten þuder come . wanne we henne wende. Amen.

LIVES OF SAINTS.

IX. ST. DUNSTAN.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 51.)

Seint Dunstan was of Engelond: income of gode more Miracle oure louerd dude for him: er he were ibore [ 2] For þo he was in his moder wombe: a candelmasse day Þer folc was at churche ynouȝ: as to þe tyme lay [ 4] As hi stode mid here liȝt: as me doþ ȝut nou Here liȝt aqueynte oueral: here non nuste hou [ 6] Her liȝt hit brende suyþe wel: and her liȝt hit was oute Þat folc stod in gret wonder: and also in grete doute [ 8] And hi speke ech to oþer: in whiche manere hit were Hou hit queynte so sodeynliche: þe liȝt þat hi here [ 10] ¶ As hi stode and speke þerof: in gret wounder echon Seint Dunstanes moder taper: afure worþ anon [ 12]

Þat heo huld on hire hond: heo nuste whannes hit com Þat folc stod and bihuld: and gret wonder þerof nom [ 14] Ne non nuste wannes hit com: bote þurf our louerdes grace Þerof hi tende here liȝt: alle in þe place [ 16] ¶ What was þat oure louerd crist: þe liȝt fram heuene sende And þat folc þat stod aboute: here taperes þerof tende [ 18] Bote of þat holi child: þat was in hire wombe þere Al Engelonde scholde þe bet beo iliȝt: þat hit ibore were [ 20] Þis child was ibore neoȝe hondred ȝer: and fyue and tuenti ariȝt After þat oure suete louerd: in his moder was aliȝt [ 22] Þe furste ȝer of þe crouning: of þe king Adelston His moder het kenedride: his fader Herston [ 24] ¶ Þo þis child was an vrþe ibore: his freond nome þerto hede Hi lete hit do to Glastnebury: to norischi and to fete [ 26] To teche him eke his bileue: pater noster and crede Þe child wax and wel iþeȝ: for hit moste nede [ 28] ¶ Lute ȝeme he nom to þe wordle: to alle godnisse he drouȝ Ech man þat hurde of him speke: hadde of him ioye ynouȝ [ 30] Þo he was of manes wit: to his vncle he gan go Þe archebischop of Canterbury: seint Aldelm þat was þo [ 32] Þat makede wiþ him ioye ynouȝ: and euere þe lengere þe more Þo he seȝ of his godnisse: and of his wyse lore [ 34] For deynte þat he hadde of him: he let him sone bringe Bifore þe prince of Engelond: Adelstan þe kynge [ 36] Þe kyng him makede ioye ynouȝ: and grantede al his bone Of what þinge so he wolde bidde: if hit were to done [ 38] Þo bad he him an abbei: þat he was forþ on ibroȝt Þi [[? pi]] þe toun of Glastnebure: þat he ne wornde him noȝt [ 40] ¶ Þe king grantede his bone: and after him also Edmund his broþer þat was king: in his poer ido [ 42] To Glastnebury wende sone: þis gode man seint Dunstan Þo beye þe kynges him ȝeue leue: Edmund and Adelstan [ 44] ¶ Of þe hous of Glastnebure: a gret ordeynour he was And makede moche of gode reule: þat neuer er among hem nas [ 46] Ac þat hous þat furst bigonne: four hondred ȝer bifore And eke þreo and vyfti: er seint Dunstan were ibore [ 48] For þer was ordre of monekes: er seint patrik com And er seint Austyn to Engelonde: brouȝte cristendom. [ 50]

And seint patrick deide tuo hondred: and tuo and vyfti ȝer After þat oure suete leuedi: oure louerd here ber [ 52] Ac none monekes þer nere furst: bote as in hudinge echon And as men þat drowe to wyldernisse: for drede of godes fon. [ 54] ¶ Seint Dunstan and seint Adelwold: as oure louerd hit bisay I-ordeyned to preostes were: al in one day [ 56] Þer after sone to Glastnebury: seint Dunstan anon wende He was abbod þer ymaked: his lyf to amende [ 58] ¶ And for he nolde bi his wille: no tyme idel beo A priuei smyþþe bi his celle: he gan him biseo [ 60] For whan he moste of oreisouns: reste for werinisse To worke he wolde his honden do: to fleo idelnisse [ 62] Seruie he wolde poure men: þe wyle he miȝte deore Al þe dai for þe loue of god: he ne kipte of hem non hure [ 64] And whan he sat at his worc þer: his honden at his dede And his his hurte mid ihesu crist: his mouþ his bedes bede [ 66] ¶ So þat al at one tyme: he was at þreo stedes His honden þer, his hurte at god: his mouþ to bidde his bedes [ 68] Þerfore þe deuel hadde of him: gret enuye and onde O tyme he cam to his smyþþe: alone him to fonde [ 70] Riȝt as þe sonne wende adoun: riȝt as he womman were And spac wiþ him of his worc: wiþ laȝinge chere [ 72] And seide þat heo hadde wiþ him: gret worc to done Treoflinge heo smot her and þer: in anoþer tale sone [ 74] ¶ Þat holi man hadde gret wonder: þat heo was and þere He sat longe and biþoȝte him: longe hou hit were [ 76] He biþoȝte him ho hit was: he droȝ forþ his tonge And leide in þe hote fur: and spac faire longe [ 78] Forte þe tonge was al afure: and siþþe stille ynouȝ Þe deuel he hente bi þe nose: and wel faste drouȝ [ 80] He tuengde and schok hire bi þe nose: þat þe fur out blaste Þe deuel wrickede her and þer: and he huld euere faste [ 82] He ȝal and hupte and drouȝ aȝe: and makede grislish bere He nolde for al his biȝete: þat he hadde icome þere [ 84] Mid his tonge he snytte hire nose: and tuengde hire sore For hit was wiþinne þe nyȝte: he nemiȝte iseo nomore [ 86] Þe schrewe was glad and bliþe ynouȝ: þo he was out of his honde He fleȝ and gradde bi þe lifte: þat me hurde in-to al þe londe [ 88]

Out what haþ þe calewe ido: what haþ þe calewe ido. In þe contrai me hurde wide: hou þe schrewe gradde so [ 90] As god þe schrewe hadde ibeo: atom ysnyt his nose He ne hiȝede no more þiderward: to hele him of þe pose [ 92] ¶ Þe holi abbot seint Dunstan: hadde gret poer Wiþ king Edmund þat was þo: and was al his consailler [ 94] After king Edmundes deþ: a good while was a gon Þat Edwyne his sone was ymaked king: and noȝt after anon [ 96] Þis Edwyne hadde vuel red: and þerafter drouȝ Wiþ seint Dunstan he was wroþ: siker wiþ gret wouȝ [ 98] ¶ Of his abbey he dude him out: and dude him schame ynouȝ Þe more schame þat he him dude: þe more þe gode man louȝ [ 100] He drof him out of Engelond: and let him grede fleme Þis gode man wende forþ wel glad: ne nam he neuere ȝeme [ 102] To þe abbey of seint Amand: biȝunde see he drouȝ And soiournede þer longe: and ladde god lyf ynouȝ [ 104] ¶ After kyng Edwynes lyue: Edgar þat was his broþer Was king ymaked: for he was nher þan enie oþer [ 106] Suyþe god man he bicom: and louede wel holi churche And ech man þat him þerto radde: after him he gan wirche [ 108] Me tolde him of seint Dunstan: þat his broþer drof of londe Mid vnriȝt for his godnisse: and gan him vnderstonde [ 110] ¶ After him he sende anon: þat he come aȝe sone And bileue his consailler: of þat he hadde to done [ 112] Seint Dunstan com hom aȝen: and faire was vnderfonge Ladde his Abbey al in pees: fram whan he was so longe [ 114] Wiþ þe king he was suyþe wel: and was al his consailler Moche me spac of his godnisse: boþe fur and nher [ 116] Hit biful þat þe bischop: of wircetre was ded Þe king and þe archebischop Ode: þerof nome here red [ 118] ¶ Þo þe holi abbot seint Dunstan: bischop hi makede þere To makie him heȝere in godes lawe: his wille þeȝ hit nere [ 120] Somme eschte þe archebischop: of Canterbury sire Ode Wherfore hi him bischop makede: and his grace were so gode [ 122] For he schal, quaþ þis gode man: after me her beo Archebischop of Canterbury: þat me schal iseo [ 124] ¶ What saistou, þis oþer seide: þu spext folliche iwis Nostou nomore þan þi fot: vppe god al hit is [ 126]

¶ Leoue freond, quaþ þis gode man: ne þore ȝe ne blamie noȝt Wel ic wot what mie louerd crist: in mie mouþ haþ ibrouȝt [ 128] As ho saiþ of þulke þinge: þat he haþ in me ised Telle ic mai what schal bifalle: after þat ich am ded [ 130] Bischop he was of Londone and Wircetre: and hulþ boþe two Of Londone and of Wircetre: and bischop was of boþe also [ 132] ¶ Hit biful þat þe archebischop: of Canterbury was ded Þe pope and þe kyng Edgar: þerof nome here red [ 134] And makede þe gode seint Dunstan: archebischop þere Gode men þat him iknewe: wel glad þerof were [ 136] Cristendom in Engelond: to god stat he drouȝ And riȝtes of holi churche: he huld vp faste ynouȝ [ 138] He fondede þurf al Engelond: þat ech persoun schulde cheose To witien him fram lecherie: oþer his churche leose [ 140] ¶ Seint Osewold was þulke tyme: bischop of wyrcestre And seint Adelwold also: bischop of Roucestre [ 142] Þis tuei bischopes and seint Dunstan: were al at one rede And Edgar þe gode king: to do þis gode dede [ 144] ¶ Þis þreo bischops wende forþ: þurf al Engelonde And eche liþer persoun caste out: þat þer nemiȝte non atstonde [ 146] Here churchen and here oþer gode: clanliche hi bynome And bisette hit in pore men: þurf þe popes grant of Rome [ 148] Eiȝte and fourti Abbeyes: of Monekes and of nonne Of þe tresour hi arerde in Engelond: of persones so iwonne [ 150] So hit was wel bet biset: þan hit was er in schrewe For whanne gode maistres beoþ: som god hi wolleþ schewe [ 152] ¶ Gode were þis þreo bischops: þat o tyme were þo Þe betere is Engelond for hem: and worþ euere mo [ 154] ¶ Oure louerd ȝaf an vrþe: seint Dunstan faire grace Þat o tyme as he was: in a priueie place [ 156] His fader and his moder ek: in þe ioye of heuene anheȝ After þat hi dede were: aperteliche he seȝ [ 158] Wel gret loue oure louerd him cudde: whan he schewede þere So moche of his priueite: þe while he alyue were [ 160] As he lay anoþer tyme: in his reste anyȝt He seȝ þe ioye of heuene: and þe place þerinne wel briȝt [ 162] Angles he hurde also singe: a murie song þer inne Þat me singeþ ȝut in holi churche: whan me doþ þe masse singe [ 164]

Kirieleyson. christeleyson: was þe murie note and song Þis holi man þat þis ihurde: ne þoȝte hit him noȝt longe [ 166] ¶ Wel auȝte he to heuene come: after his ende day Whan he þe while he was alyue: so moche of heuene isay [ 168] Harpe he louede suyþe wel: þeron he couþe ynouȝ A day he he sat in solaȝ: and a lay þeron drouȝ [ 170] ¶ Þe harpe he heng bi þe wowe: þo hit was tyme to ete Þo hit was ȝare þerto ibrouȝt: he sat adoun at his mete [ 172] Of heuene he gan þenche sone: of þe ioye þat was þere Of þe ioyfulle blisse þat þer was: of halewen þat þer were [ 174] He sat as he were ynome: so moche þeron he þoȝte His harpe he heng bi þe wowe: of wham he lute roȝte [ 176] ¶ Bigan to cuþe his holi þoȝt: ded treo þeȝ hit were As oure louerdes wille was: as hi hurde alle þat þer were þere [ 178] Al bi him silue he gan to harpe: a murie steuene iwis Þat ne singeþ ȝut in holi churche: þat an englisch is þis [ 180] Alle halewene soule glade beoþ: þat in heuene beoþ ido Þat suyeþ oure louerdes way: and for him schadde also [ 182] Here blod for his suete loue: þerfore hi schulle wone And kynges beo bouten ende: wiþ crist godes sone [ 184] Þis anteyn þat murie is: þat folc ihurde alle Hou þe harpe song al bi him silf: þer he hong bi þe walle [ 186] Fair grace oure louerd him schowede þere: whan þe dede treo So schulde singe of þulke ioye: þat he scholde inne beo [ 188] Louerd ihered beo þi grace: and þi miȝte also Þat þu woldest her alyue for him: such miracle do [ 190] ¶ Þo þis holi man hadde ylyued: an vrþe menie a daie And his endedai was neȝ icome: as he him silue isaie [ 192] A holi þursday he worþ sik: as hit ful in þe ȝere He let ofsende his freond: þat specials to him were [ 194] His men þat him seruede eke: he let hem clipie also And forȝaf hem al here trespas: þat hi him hadde misdo [ 196] And assoillede hem of here sinne: and in godes bendes lay And so he lay al þulke tyme: and also þane friday [ 198] He let clipie þe saterday: þe freres bifore him alle And bed alle godneday: and seide hem what scholde bifalle [ 200] And let him do alle his riȝtes: and oure louerdes flesch nom ¶ His soule wende out of þe wordle: and sone to heuene com

Neoȝe hondred ȝer and fourscore: in þe eiȝteteoþe ȝere He deide after þat oure leuedi: oure louerd an vrþe bere [ 204] Nou suete louerd seint Dunstan: þat oure archebischop were Bring ous to þe ioye of heuene: as angles þi soule bere. [ 206]

[Seint Aldelm the Confessour follows;
then, Seint Austyn þat cristendom: brouȝte in-to Engelonde;
then, Seint barnabe þ'apostle; & Seint Teofle, for whom,

'A fair miracle oure leuedi dude: þat brouȝte him out of þulke wo As heo menie oþere dude: ic mot ȝut telle mo'.

On p. 61 back, is:

Ou marie þat is so moche: þi milce and þyn ore so murie hit is to telle of þe: þat ȝut we mote more.

The fifth miracle is that of]

X. AN OXFORD STUDENT.

(Miracles, Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 63.)

A kniȝt þer was in Engelond: by norþe her biside A ȝung child he hadde bi his wyf: as god wolde hit scholde bitide Þe moder adai while hit was ȝung: to churche hit broȝte Þe child bihuld þe rode in churche: and stod in grete þoȝte Moder, he seide, what is þe man: þat ȝund anhongod is [ 5] ¶ Sone, quaþ þe leuedi, hit is: oure louerd iwis For ous he was so anhonge: and to deþe ibroȝt To bringe ous to þe ioye of heuene: he haþ ous deore iboȝt Wel auȝte we þanne, quaþ þe child: seruie him wiþ wille And what is þulke faire womman: þat stent bi him so stille [ 10] Hit is his moder, quaþ þe leuedi: þat oure suete leuedi is Ou ma dame, quaþ þe child: wounder me þinȝþ hit iwis ¶ Stod heo bi him þo me him slouȝ: þe leuedi seide ȝe Awey ma dame, quaþ þis child: miȝtestou so bi me Hou miȝte heo iseo quelle hire child: þat hire hurte ne brac atuo [ 15] Moche del was on hire hurte: and sorinysche also Þeȝ þis child were ȝung: of þis deol ofte siþe hit þoȝte Selþe wher he euere were: out of his hurte he hit brouȝte

Þis child was siþþe ido to scole: hit lurnede wel ynouȝ So þat he com to Oxenford: þo he to manne drouȝ [ 20] Selþe hit com out of his þoȝt: what so he iseȝe Þe deol þat oure leuedi hadde: þo heo iseȝ here sone deye ¶ Hit biful siþþe in a tyme: as hit doþ bi menie on Þat he dude a dedlich synne: so ne dude he neuere non He nolde noȝt, as manie on wolleþ: ligge þeron longe [ 25] To a frere he wende to schrifte: his penance to afonge Repentant he was ynouȝ: of þulke liþere dede And bisouȝte him for þulke sinne: þat he for him bede And þat he bede to oure leuedi for þulke sor: þat heo hadde on hire þoȝt Þo he seȝ hire sone anhonge: and in stronge deþe ibroȝt [ 30] Þat heo ȝyue me grace and wille: þe leuedi milce and freo Sorie ynou in hurte: for mio sinne to beo Þat he bad eke him silf: boþe niȝt and day For þe deol of hire sone: þo heo dim ded isay [ 34] ¶ He hadde þe while he lyuede: þulke bone in mone Þat oure leuedi þo he was ded: him cudde and eke hire sone Atte laste at Oxenford: at scole he gan deye Þe furste day he was iwist: as þe maystres iseye Tuey clerkes þat were ouer him: þat suyþe wel his freond were Þat wiste his bodi niȝt and day: and were next þe bere [ 40] Ech man amorwe bote hi tueye: wende hom in his ende Felawe, quaþ on, hit is tyme: þat we þe taperes tende Abyd, quaþ þoþer, a stounde: þat þis maistres come Hit nis noȝt riȝt þe tapres tende: bote hi were her some [ 44] ¶ As þis tuey clerkes were alone: adoun hi lynede stille So þat hi werþe a slepe: as hit was godes wille As hi slepe, hem þoȝte boþe: þat hi angles meniee iseȝe Here felawes soule þat þer lai ded: to heuene lede heȝe ¶ Oure leuede as to teche þe wey: hire silue ȝeode bifore And openede þe dore of heuene: þat þe soule were in ibore [ 50] ¶ Þo heo tofore oure louerd com: adoun heo sat a kneo Sone, heo saide, lo, her mie freond: þat wel haþ iserued me Vnderfong him into þi ioye: oure louerd aȝe sede Leoue moder ic auȝte wel: þeȝ þu neuere ne bede

For an vrþe he bad mie milce ofte: for þe deol þat þu iseȝe [ 55] And þat sor in þin hurte: þo þu me seȝe deye Wel fawe ic him wole afonge: as riȝt is þat ich do And among myn halewen him onoury: and þu schalt also ¶ Þo sende oure leuedi fram heuene: to þe tapres liȝt anon Þat aboute þe bodi stede: and tende hem echon [ 60] Þe clerkes awoke anon: as hi slepe boþe þer And fonde þe tapres alle itend: as hem þoȝte in slepe er ¶ Þo come þe maistres as riȝt was: þe seruise for to do And þo hit was to ende ibrouȝt: and þe bodi ibured also Þe clerkes to here priue maistre: tolde al þat hi seȝe [ 65] Þat oure leuedi to oure louerd seide: in þe ioye of heuene heȝe And hou hi onourede him for þe munde: þat he hadde her in mode Of þe deol þat oure leuedi hadde: of hire sone in þe rode Hi ȝeode forþ to þe frere: þat his schriftfader was Somme of þe maistres priueiliche: and tolde him of þat cas [ 70] ¶ Þe frere seide þat hit was soþ: þat he hadde er in mode Þe deol þat oure leuedi hadde: þo hire sone deide on þe Rode Þe miracle was þo iholde soþ: of þis holi childe Wiþ eche þing al day we seoþ: oure leuedi suete and mylde

XI. THE JEWS AND THE CROSS.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 64.)

Gywes hatieþ oure leuedi moche: and hire suete sone also [ 1] Þat is isene in manie dede: þat þe schrewen habbeþ ido Oure leuedi day in haruest: þat so holi is and suete [ 3] An archebischop song his masse: in þe cite of Tolete Riȝt atte sacring of þe masse: atte þulke holi dede [ 5] A voiȝ he hurde of heuene: þat þuse wordes sede Allas þe gywes trecherie: Allas þe liþere vode [ 7] Þat among mie sones children: þat he bouȝte mid his blode Þe schrewen schulle so vylliche: eftsone do him on þe Rode [ 9] And so schendfulliche auyli: wiþ so liþere mode Þe archebischop þo he hadde: his masse ibroȝt to ende [ 11] He nom wiþ him folc ynouȝ: and to þe gywene gan wende

And let ofseche oueral: atte laste hi fonde [ 13] Þe forme of oure louerd in a Rode: ibeten and ibounde Inaïlled þurf fet and honde: as oure louerd wiþ vyf wounde [ 15] Þat hadde þe gywes ido: god ȝyue hem harde stounde And alle þat hem louye wel: for moche is þe vylte [ 17] And schame þat hi ofte doþ: oure louerd in priueite ¶ ȝut oure leuedi aliȝte: and warnede þe bischop fore Moche godnisse heo haþ ido: siþþe heo was ibore Nou, leuedi, for þe mylce: þat euere haþ mid þe ibeo [ 21] And for þe grete sorwe þat þu haddest: þo þi sone deide on þe treo ȝeue ous grace þat we mote: such milce her iwynne [ 23] Þat we mote to þe ioye: come þat þu ert inne.

[Seint Albon's life follows.]

XII. ST. SWITHIN.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 78.)

Seint swiÞin þe confessour: was her of Engelonde Biside wynchestre he was ibore: as ic vnderstonde [ 2] Bi þe kinges day Egberd: þis gode man was ibore Þat þo was king of Engelond: and somwhat ek bifore [ 4] Þe eiȝteteoþe king he was þat com: after kenewold þe kynge Þat seint beryn dude to cristendom: in Engelonde furst bringe [ 6] ¶ Ac seint Austin hadde bifore: to cristendom ibroȝt Aþelbriȝt þe gode king: ac al þe londe noȝt [ 8] Ac siþþe hit was þat seint berin: her bi weste wende And turnde þe king kenewold: as oure louerd him grace sende [ 10] So þat seint Egberd þat was kyng: þo seint swithin was ibore Þe eiȝteteoþe he was: after kenewold: þat so longe was bifore [ 12] ¶ Seint swythin þe ȝunge man: swiþe ȝung bigan Forto seruie ihesu crist: and bicom cristene man [ 14] Elmeston þe bischop ek: of wynchestre þat was þo Seint swithin he makede preost: as he dude oþere mo [ 16] So þat fram on ordre to oþer: seint swiþin preost bicom ¶ Clene lyf he ladde and god: and to gret penance him nom

His godnisse was wide icud: aboute in eche side Þo þat hit com þe king to ere: hit sprong aboute wide [ 20] Þe king him onourede swiþe wel: and louede him ynouȝ And makede him his chiefe consailler: and mest to his consail drouȝ [ 22] Aþulf his sone and eke his heir: he tok hem to loke To norissie and to wardie wel: þat hi to gode toke [ 24] Þat he teiȝte him such portoure: þat to a such child bicome Wel him wiste þis holi man: and god warde to him nom [ 26] ¶ Þo kyng Egberd was ded: þis child Aþulf his sone After him was kyng ymaked: as lawe was and wone [ 28] Þis ȝunge king was god ynouȝ: as seint swithin him gan rede After his consail al he drouȝ: and dude bi him his dede [ 30] Engelond was þo wel iwist: for þe king was god ynouȝ And swithin his consailler: after wham he drouȝ [ 32] Elmeston þe bischop siþþe: of wynchestre was ded Þe king and oþer heȝe men: þerof neme here red [ 34] ¶ Þis holi man seint swiþin: bischop hi makede þere Alle men þat him iknewe: ioyous þerof were [ 36] Bischop he was god ynouȝ: and alle gode he wroȝte Þe king also to alle gode: holi churche brouȝte [ 38] So þat þurf þe heste of þe king: and þurf his wissinge also Ech man wolde þurf þe lond: his teoþing wel do [ 40] Brokene churchen oueral: seint swithin let vp rere And nue churchen in menie stede: þer neuerer none nere [ 42] Whan he halewede enie churche: bost ne kipte he non Bi nyȝte afote myldeliche: he wolde þider gon [ 44] Aȝen him ne kipte he no ringinge: bobance ne prute Þe bost of hors ne of squiers: for he tolde þerof lute [ 46] He þoȝte on þat þe godspel. saiþ: þat me takþ of lute hede Þat ho so doþ his dede mid bobance: him ne tyt non oþer mede [ 48] For he afongeþ his mede her: mid þe dede anon Þat worþ habbeþ nou forȝute: þis heȝe meny on [ 50] ¶ Seint swithin his bischopriche: to alle gode drouȝ Þe toun also of wynchestre: he amendede ynouȝ [ 52] Þor he let þe stronge brugge: wiþoute þe est ȝate arere And fond þerto lym and ston: to worcmen þat þer were [ 54] ¶ Adai as þis worcmen: aboute here worke stode And contrai men to chepinge: come mid moche gode [ 56]

Mid a baggeful of eiren: a womman þer com A masoun sone þis womman: to his folie nom [ 58] And biclipte hire in ribaudie: as foles doþ ȝut ofte And brak hire eiren neȝ echone: he ne handlede hire noȝt softe [ 60] ¶ Þo þe womman hire harm iseȝ: ruliche heo gan bigynne For heo hem hadde igadered longe: sum siluer forto wynne [ 62] Heo makede deol ynouȝ: and cride also anheȝ ¶ Seint swythin com þo þerforþ: and þe deol iseȝ Of þis womman he hadde reuþe: he nom vp his hond anon And blessede þe eiren to-broke: and hi bicome hole anon [ 66] And sound as hi euere were: hi bicome atte laste Glad was þo þis seli womman: and þonkede gost faste [ 68] Miȝte eirmongers nou fare so: þe baldelikere hi miȝte Huppe ouer diches wher hi wolde: boþe wraxli and fiȝte [ 70] ¶ Þe king Aþulf deide siþþe: þe kynges sone Egberd And his sone was kyng after him: kyng Adelberd [ 72] Hit nas noȝt longe afterward: þat he was ymaked kyng Þat þis holi man seint swithin: drouȝ to endyng [ 74] For he deide þe þridde ȝer: þat he was kyng ymad And þo he schulde hunne wende: his men faste he bad [ 76] Þat hi ne scholde him burie noȝt: in churche wiþ prute Ac sum war wiþoute in a stede: þat me tolde of lute [ 78] In a stede þat me tolde of lest: and lest ȝeme me tok In alle manere þis holi man: bobance and prute forsok [ 80] He deide eiȝte hondred ȝer: and in þe sixteoþe ȝere After þat oure louerd aliȝt: in his moder wombe here [ 82] ¶ In a stede wiþoute þe churche: þis holi bodi hi leide Þat me tolde of lute ynouȝ: as he him silue seide [ 84] Þer he lai an hondred ȝer: and neoȝe ȝer also And almest fourtene nyȝt: er he were þanne ido [ 86] Bi þe kinges day Edgar: þat god was ynouȝ Þat seint Edwardes fader was: þat his stipmoder a-slouȝ [ 88] Þis holi man seint swiþþin: schowede bitokeninge Þat me scholde of þulke place: in heȝere stede him bringe [ 90] Þis Egdgar was þe noeȝþe kyng: þat after Adelbert com Þat kyng was þulke tyme: þat seint swiþþin deþ nom [ 92] Þe bischop þat was at wynchestre: þo king Edgar was kyng Þat was seint Athelwold: god and holi þurf alle þing [ 94]

¶ Seint swithin þe holi man: a god tyme him gan biseo Whan god kyng was and god bischop: ischryned for to beo [ 96] Aniȝt he cam to an holi man: in his bedes as he lay In siknisse and sorwe ynouȝ: as he hadde ido meny a day [ 98] Arys, he seide, to morwe anon: and ne lef þu noȝt bihynde To wynchestre þe olde Mynstre: and þere þu schalt fynde [ 100] Þe gode bischop Athelwold: þat þe teoþe is after me And saye þat ich him grett wel: and sende him word bi þe [ 102] Þat oure louerd hit haþ biseȝe: þat mie bodi schal beo ido In churche in an heȝ stede: and nomore ligge so [ 104] And if þu doutest in enie poynt: þat þis beo duelsinge And noȝt soþ þat ich telle nou: ic wole sende to þe kynge [ 106] For al so sone as þu wolt arise: forto do myn heste Þat vuel þat þu hast so longe ihad: ne schal no leng ileste [ 108] Ac þu worst þerof hol and sound: wordle wiþouten ende If þe bischop ne leoueþ hit noȝt: oþer signe ic wole him sende [ 110] For whan ȝe comeþ to þulke stede: þer ic ligge ȝute Anoneward þer liþ a ston: wiþ oþer prute wel lute [ 112] Ringes of yre þer beoþ on: ynailled þerto faste Ac þer nis non so strong of hem: þat aȝen ȝou schulleþ ilaste [ 114] Þat ȝe ne schulleþ riȝt liȝtliche: drawe vp þe ston Wiþoute wem faste aȝen: fast sette hem on [ 116] ¶ Þis gode man of þis tokning: iolyf was ynouȝ Wel bityme he aros: and toward þane wey drouȝ [ 118] And anon so he dude him on þe wei: hol and sound he was Of þe vuel þat he bar so longe: neuereft igreued he nas [ 120] To þe bischop he wende Aþelwold: and tolde him of þis cas Þe bischop þo he hurde þis: wel was him þas [ 122] Þe ring þat was on þe ston: faste as he seide er Liȝtliche hi of nome wiþoute wem: and as faste sette hit þer [ 124] Wele þe ioye þat he makede þo: þe bischop Aþelwold Þis miracle was sone icud: and wide aboute itold [ 126] Seint Aþelwold wende sone: to Edgar þe gode king And tolde him as wel was riȝt: þis holi teþing [ 128] ¶ Þis gode king was glad ynouȝ: hi nomen hem to rede Hou hi miȝte mid mest honer: do þis holi dede [ 130] Hi assignede a dai þerto: as here consayl bisay Bifore haruest in þe mounþ of Juli: þe eiȝteteoþe day [ 132]

¶ Hi sumnede aȝe þis holi day: heȝe men ynowe þerto Bischopes and Abbotes: þe holi dede to do [ 134] Þo hi come to wynchestre: þer þis bodie lay In fasting and oreisouns: hi were niȝt and day [ 136] Þat oure louerd hem ȝeue grace: þis holi dede wel ende Þo þe dai him was icome: to þe mynstre hi gonne wende [ 138] Ireuested faire ynouȝ: wiþ gret deuocioun Wiþ tapres itend and þe croiȝ: wiþ gret processioun [ 140] To þe tumbe hi wende sone: as þe bodi lay As hit ful in þe mounþ of Juli: þe vyfteoþe day [ 142] ¶ Þis holi bischop Aþelwold: as riȝt was to do Let delue to þis holi bodie: and þo hi come þerto [ 144] Þer com smyte out a suete breþ: among þis gode men echon Þat so gret suetnisse as hem þoȝte: ne smylde hi neuere non [ 146] Louerd moche is þi miȝte: soþ hit is ised Þat a bodi scholde so suete smylle: þat so longe hadde ibeo ded [ 148] ȝe witeþ bi oþer dede men: þat hit was moche aȝe riȝte A blynd womman anon mid þe dede: in þe place hadde hire siȝte [ 150] And menie oþere þer botnede ek: of vuel and of wo And wiþ-inne þe tuey dayes: two hondred and mo [ 152] ¶ Þis holi bodi was vp ynome: wiþ gret honour iwis And into seinte peteres churche ibore: þer þe heȝe mynstre is [ 154] And ido in a fair schrin and noble: as hit liþ ȝute Þe miracles þat of him comeþ: for soþe ne beoþ noȝt lute [ 156] Ischryned he was neoȝene and tuenti ȝere: in þon and tuenteoþe ȝere After þat oure louerd and vrþe aliȝte: in his moder here [ 158] Nou seint swithin þat was bischop: her in Engelonde Bringe ous to þe ioye of heuene: þurf oure louerdes sonde. [ 160]

[St. Kenelm follows.]

XIII. ST. KENELM.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 80.)

Seint kenelm þe ȝunge kyng: þurf oure louerdes sonde [ 1] Kyng he was in Engelond: of þe March of Walis

Þe kyng kenulf his fader was: þat kyng was þer also [ 3] Þat rerde abbai of wynchecumbe: & let þer monekes do After his deþ he was þer ibured: & ȝut he lyþ þere [ 5] In þe abbay þat ȝut stent: þat he him silue let rere Gret Cite was þo wynchecumbe: & mest of ynouȝ [ 7] In al þulke half of Engelond: as fur as his lond drouȝ. ¶ Vyf kynges þer were bi þulke tyme: in Engelonde ido For Engelond was god & long: & brod ynou þerto Aboute eiȝte hondred mile: Engelond long is [ 11] Fram þe souþ in to þe norþ: & two hondred brod iwis Fram þe est in to þe west: also þere-inne beoþ [ 13] Manye wateres goode ynowe: as ȝe alday iseoþ Ac þreo wateres principales: of alle oþere beo iwis [ 15] Humber & temese: seuerne þe þridde is To þe norþ see humber goþ: þat is on of þe beste [ 17] & temese into þe est see: & seuerne bi weste Þis vyf kynges of engelonde: þat were bi olde dawe [ 19] Hadde here part bi hem silue: as riȝt was & lawe Þe kyng þat was of þe Marche: hadde þo þe beste [ 21] Moche del he hadde of Engelond: þat on half al bi weste ¶ Wircestreschire & warewykschire: & also Gloucestre Þat is neȝ al o bischopriche: þe bischopes of Wircestre He hadde also þerto shestreschire: & Derbischire also [ 25] & staffordschire þat beoþ alle: in o bischopriche ido In þe bischopriche of Chestre: ȝut he hadde þerto [ 27] Schropschyre sum & haluendel: warewykschire also Þis kyng hadde also herefordschire: þat o bischopriche is [ 29] & Schropschire haluendel: þat falþ to þulke bischopriche iwis & sum of warewykschire: & of Gloucestreschire also [ 31] ȝut hadde þe king of þe marche: more lond þerto Norhampte schire & bokingham schire: & þe schire of Oxenford [ 33] Leicestreschire & Lincolneschire: & þe schire of hereford & þat is o bischopriche: & þat of Lincolne is [ 35] Þat while was at Dorkcestre biside Oxenford iwis ȝut hadde þe kyng of þe marche: Notingham schire þerto [ 37] In þe bischopriche of Ouerwyke: ac þo nas hit noȝt so Al þe lond was while icliped: þe march of Wales [ 39] & of al was seint kenelm: & his fader kyng iwis

Nou of alle þoþerene kynedom: aȝen his non nas At wynchecumbe of al his lond: þe chief Cite was [ 42] ¶ Þe vif kinges þat were þo: þat on was of kent iwis & þat oþer as ic seide er: of þe march of walis [ 44] Of westsex & of humberlond: & of estlond also Þuse vyf kynges were þo: in Engelond ido [ 46] ¶ Þe king of westsex hadde þo: al wilteschire iwis & Dorsete & barrocschire: þat also bischopriche is [ 48] Þe bischopriche of salesbury: ac so nas hit þo noȝt For þe chief of þe bischopriche was: at schireburne ibroȝt [ 50] ȝut was þe kynges of westsex: al souþsex also Þe welde of al þe bischopriche: Cicestre þerto [ 52] & souþhampteschire & souþereye: þat o bischopriche is Þe bischopriche of wynchestre: þat ȝut is þer iwis [ 54] & somersete þat to welles: þulke tyme drouȝ Nou hit is þe bischopriche of baþe: ȝe witeþ wel ynouȝ [ 56] ¶ ȝut hadde þe kyng of westsex: aldoneschir iwis & Cornwaille þat in þe bischopriche: of Excestre is [ 58] ¶ Þe kyng of kent was þo kyng: of al þe lond of kent Þat were in tuo bischopriches: & ȝut nis noȝt iwent [ 60] ¶ Þe Archebischop of Canterbury: of Engelond is hext & þe bischopriche of Roucestre: in þe west side is next [ 62] Þe kyng ek of estlond: king was of Norfolc In þe bischopriche of Norþwych: & also souþfolc [ 64] & of þe bischopriche of Ely: þat þe ylle of Ely is & of al Cantebrugge: þat þerto falþ iwis [ 66] ¶ Of þis lond was seint Edmund: king bi olde dawe Þat was in his owe lond: ȝe witeþ wel aslawe [ 68] ¶ Þe kyng of Norþhumberland: was kyng ic vnderstonde Of al þe lond biȝunde humber: anon into scotlonde [ 70] Of þe Archebischopriche of Euerwyk: & of Durham iwis Seint Osewald bi olde dawe: kyng was ouer al þis [ 72] ¶ Þus menie kynges þer were: while in Engelonde & here londes departed were: þus ic vnderstonde [ 74] Þe kyng þat was þo of þe March: as ic telle bigan Kenulf þe kyng was icleped: suyþe holi & god man [ 76] Seint kenelm his sone was: & his eir also Bur wenylde & quendride: his douȝtren were tuo [ 78]

In þe four & tuenti ȝer: of his kynedom Kenulf wende out of þis wordle: & to þe ioye of heuene com [ 80] Hit was after þat oure louerd: in his moder aliȝte Eiȝte hondred ȝer & neoȝentene: bi acountes riȝte [ 82] Seint Kenelm his ȝunge sone: in his soueþe ȝere Kyng was ymaked after him: þeȝ he ȝung were [ 84] ¶ His o soster bur wenylde: louede him ynouȝ & in eche manere to holi lyfe: & to alle godnisse drouȝ [ 86] Ac quendride þoþer soster: of hire manere nas noȝt For heo turnede to folie & to liþerhede: al hire þoȝt [ 88] Heo seȝ þat hire ȝunge broþer: nas noȝt of soue ȝer Þat kyng was ymaked of al þat lond: þat hire fader hadde er [ 90] To him heo hadde gret enuye: þat he scholde so riche beo & eir of hire fader lond: & ricchere þane heo [ 92] Heo þoȝte if heo miȝte bringe: þat child of lyfdawe Þat heo were of þe heritage: quene bi riȝte lawe [ 94] Al hire þoȝt was nyȝt & day: to biþenche sum outrage Þat þis child were ibroȝt of dawe: & heo hadde þe heritage [ 96] Heo purueide hire felonye: poisoun streng ynouȝ For to ȝyue þe ȝunge child: & slen him so wiþ wouȝ [ 98] Þo þis poisoun was iȝeue: al for noȝt hit was For þo þe child hit hadde idronke: no þe wors him nas [ 100] For oure louerd nold noȝt þat he scholde: so liȝtliche ymartred beo If þe quene wolde spede: oþer heo moste biseo [ 102] For þerof heo caste an ambesas: heo þoȝte anoþer þoȝt Þo heo seȝ hit was for noȝt: þat þe poisoun was iwroȝt [ 104] ¶ Þis ȝunge child a maister hadde: þat his wardeyn was Askebert he was icliped: strong traitour allas [ 106] For noman nemai þan oþer: bet trecherie do Þat þulke þat is him next: & he trist mest to [ 108] ¶ Þis liþere quene biþoȝte hire: of alle liþer wrenche For me saiþ þere nis no felonye: þat womman ne can biþenche [ 110] Mid þis Askebert heo spac: þat child forto aspille And bihet him mede god ynouȝ: & of hire al his wille [ 112] So þat þis tuo liþere þinges: were at one rede & bispeke hou hi miȝte best: do þis liþere dede [ 114] Þe while hi speke boþe: þis ȝunge child to quelle A sweueninge þat þe child mette: ich ȝou wole nou telle [ 116]

¶ Him þoȝte þat þer stod a treo: riȝt tofore his bedde Þat anon to þe sterren tilde: & wel wide spredde [ 118] Þis treo was fair & noble: & schynde briȝte ynouȝ Ful of blosmes & of frut: & of menie a riche bouȝ [ 120] Brenninge wex & lampen ek: wel þikke brende & liȝte So noble frut nas neuere non: ne þat schynde so briȝte [ 122] Him þoȝte he clemde vpon þis treo: to þe hexte bouȝ an heȝ & bihuld aboute in to al þe wordle: & prute ynouȝ iseȝ [ 124] Þe while he stod vpon þe treo: & bihuld aboute so Him þoȝte þat on of his beste freond: þat he mest triste to [ 126] In þe grounde stod byneþe: & smot atuo þis treo Þat hit fil to grounde anon: þat deol hit was to seo [ 128] To a litel foȝel he bicom: non fairere ne miȝte beo & bi-gan wiþ ioye ynouȝ: riȝt into heuene fleo [ 130] He awook & was in þoȝte: her-of nyȝt & day Þo þis child mette þus: at wynchecumbe he lay [ 132] He nuste what hit bitoknede: þe more was his þoȝt Er he sumþing þerof wiste: he ne miȝte beo bliþe noȝt [ 134] His norice þat him hadde ifed: & mid hire mulc forþ ibroȝt Tendre was of þis child: for heo him hadde deorest iboȝt [ 136] To hire þat child triste mest: wolwenne hire name was Þat child hire tolde priueite: of þis sweuening al þat cas [ 138] Þo þe norice hadde ihurd: þat sweuening þat was so god Heo bigan to sike sore: & in þoȝte stod [ 140] Allas heo seide þat ich scholde: þisne day euere abide Þat mie child mie swete hurte: scholde such þing bitide [ 142] Allas mie child mie suete fode: þat ich habbe forþ ibroȝt Þi soster bispekeþ þi deþ: & quelle þe haþ iþoȝt [ 144] Ac þe fowel þat þu bicome to: þat to heuene gan wende Þat was þi soule þat þider schal: after þi lyues ende [ 146] ¶ Þis sueuene bicom soþ ynouȝ: þat he fond atte laste For his soster & Askebert: bispeke his deþ wel faste [ 148] ¶ Þis Askebert seide adai: þat þis child scholde wende An hunting forto pleyen him: bi þe wodes ende [ 150] & he wiþ him to wardi him: as hit was riȝt bi weye He wende to þe wode of Clent: as hit were to pleye [ 152] As hi wende bi þe wode: as god ȝaf þe grace A god wille þe child com on: to slepe in a place [ 154]

Adoun he lay al softe þere: & bigan to slepe anon Askebert ne þoȝte noȝt: þat he scholde þanne gon [ 156] Biside in a durne stede: he bigan to delue faste Ane put forto sle þis child: & siþþe þeron hit caste [ 158] ¶ Þis child bigan to awake sone: as hit were bi cas After his maister he bihuld: & ne seȝ noȝt whar he was [ 160] Ac oure louerd him ȝaf þe grace: þeȝ he nuste noȝt of his dede Þat he spac to his maister: & þuse wordes sede [ 162] Þu trauaillest þere aboute noȝt: & þi while þu dost spille For in an noþer stede ic schal deye: whar so is godes wille [ 164] & þurf þis ȝurd þat her is: tokning þu schalt iseo Whan þi liþere wille hit mai do: þat ich ymartred beo [ 166] For wende þis liþere maister: & þis child also Forte hi come to anoþer stede: þat þis dede were ido [ 168] Askebert þis ȝurd nom: & sette hit on þe grounde Hit bigan to leuy sone: & wexe in a stounde [ 170] & a gret asch bicom siþþe: & stent in þulke place To schewi þe miȝte of seint kenelm: & oure louerdes grace [ 172] Þis liþere man nom þis child: in þe wode of Clent & ladde him as me doþ ane þeof: to afonge his iugement [ 174] He ladde him in a priuei stede: al out of þe weye Bitwene tuei hilles heȝe: in a dupe valeye [ 176] ¶ Þis child þurf þe holi gost: þeȝ þoþer him nolde telle Wiste wel his liþere þoȝt: & þat he þoȝte him aquelle [ 178] & þo he targede a lute while: þis liþere dede to done Þat child seide wel myldeliche: þat þu dost, do sone [ 180] He bigan a song þat me singeþ: in holi churche a day Þat was te domine laudamus: er he adoun lay [ 182] & þo he cam to an holi vers: þat þerinne was & is A latyn iwrite as al þat oþer: þat an englische is þis [ 184] Þe white cumpaignye of martirs: louerd herieþ þe: Te mar∣tirum candidatus laudat exercitus Riȝt as he hadde þe vers iseid: as þe boc telleþ me [ 186] Þis liþere man smot of his heued: vnder an haȝþorn treo As hit godes wille was: þat he ymartrid scholde beo [ 188] A whit coluere as eni snow: out of him gan fleo teo & riȝt euene was iseȝe: into heuene fleo [ 190] Vneþe he was soue ȝer old: er he ymartrid were Al to soþ his sueuene was: as me miȝte iseo þere [ 192]

¶ Þis liþere man þat him a-slouȝ: bigan to delue faste And makede a put deope ynouȝ: & þerinne þe child caste [ 194] And burede hit faste ynouȝ: þat hit ifonde nere And wende ȝe forþ his wei: & let hit ligge þere [ 196] ¶ To quendride his liþere soster: anon he gan wende And tolde hire al þe liþere cas: fram bigynninge to þan ende [ 198] Þis quene was þo glad ynouȝ: aboute heo wende anon Forto seisi al þe lond: & þe maners echon [ 200] And makede hir quene of al þe March: as hire broþer was kyng & schrewe leuedi bicom ynouȝ: & liþer þurf alle þing [ 202] & wende aboute into al þe lond: to fonge here manrede & bicom sturne & huld hire men: in sorewe & wrechede [ 204] Nou in þe quedes part mote heo ride: fram toune to toune And falsliche as heo com anheȝ: also heo ful þerdoune [ 206] Heo let hote in to al þat lond: þat no man so wod were To nemne enes hire broþer name: for loue ne for fere [ 208] & if me miȝte of enie wite: þat hit nere noȝt bileued Þat he nere anon ynome: & ismyte of his heued [ 210] Þus furde þe liþere quene: & stirede hire wel faste Þat noman ne þerste hire broþere nempne: so sore hi were of gaste [ 212] ¶ Euere lai þis holi bodi: ibured swiþe stille Þat noman ne þerste him enes nemne: aȝen þe quenes wille [ 214] So longe þat hit was al forȝute: whan me nemiȝte of him speke Ac hit nas noȝt so þat oure louerd: atte laste him nolde awreke [ 216] Whan no man nolde þat wittie was: of him þenche ene Nolde oure louerd þat he were: allinge forȝute so clene [ 218] Whan no man nolde þat witti was: of him habbe munde A dombe best wiþoute witte: hadde aȝe cunde [ 220] For a widue hadde a whit cou: þat wonede þere biside Þat ȝeode adai to fecche hire mete: in þe wode wide [ 222] Þer seint kenelm lai ibured: in þe valey þerdoune Eche dai wolde þis white cow: whan heo com fram toune [ 224] Fecche hire mete mid oþer kyn: [[MS. k]] renne heo wolde alone In to valeye al byneþe: & lete hire felawes echone [ 226] & sitte aboute þis holi bodi: forte eue al longe day As hit were to honury him: for he alone lay [ 228] & so heo sat wiþoute mete: alday to þan ende & whan þat hit eue was: homward he wolde wende [ 230]

& an eue whan heo hom com: fat & round heo was & so ful of mulc heo was: þat me wondrede of þe cas [ 232] For þer nas non of alle þe kyn: þat half so moche mulc ȝeue As ful heo wolde a morwe beo: þeȝ heo were ymelked an eue [ 234] Ho so hadde suche kyn ynowe: he nere noȝt to bymene Þeȝ his larder were neȝ ido: & his somer lese lene [ 236] ¶ Þat folc þat þe wonder iseȝe: gret gome mid alle hi nome & awaitede wel adai: whar þis cou bicome [ 238] & hi seȝe hire stitte adai: in þe valeye þerdoune Meteles stille in one stede: forte heo ȝeode an eue to toune [ 240] & whi heo leye þer so: hi ne miȝte wite for noþing Ac in here hurte him þoȝte wel: þat hit was sum tokning [ 242] For þis cou wonede þer so: & ech dai drouȝ þerto Coubache me clipede þis valeye: & ȝut me doþ also [ 244] In coubache þis holi bodi: lay wel menie a ȝer Þere me nuste noȝt of him: as ic ȝou seide er [ 246] For his soster was so fers: & in so gret prute ibroȝt & such þretninge for him makede: þat me ne þerste him nemne noȝt [ 248] Þo þis holi bodi ne moste: beo icud in Engelonde Oure louerd þat wot alle þing: & þerto sende his sonde [ 250] For as þe pope stod at Rome: & song his masse aday At seint peteres weued in þe churche: as al þat folc isay [ 252] A coluere whittere þan enie snow: com adoun fram heuene fleo & leide vpe þe weued a litel writ: & siþþe gan to heuene teo [ 254] & fleȝ vp an heȝ aȝe: as oure louerd hit wolde Þe writ was whit & schynde briȝte: þe lettres were of golde [ 256] Þe pope þonkede ihesu crist: & al þat folk also Þe pope nam þis holi writ: þo þe masse was ido [ 258] ¶ He nuste what hit was to sigge: ne non ne couþe wite For he ne couþe englisch non: & an englisch hit was iwrite [ 260] He let clipie ech maner diuerse men: of eche diuerse londe If enie couþe of þis holi writ: eni þing vnderstonde [ 262] Þo were þer men of Engelonde: þat wiste what hit sede & vnderstode wel þat writ: þo hi hit ihurde rede [ 264] Þe writ was iwrite an englisch: as me radde hit þere & to telle hit wiþoute rym: þuse wordes riȝt hit were [ 266] In Clent in Coubache kenelm kinges bern liþ vnder a þorn heuede bireued

¶ Þis writ was nobliche: iwist & vp ido & iholde gret relik: for ȝut hit is also [ 270] Þe nobleste relik hit is: on þerof of al Rome As hit auȝte wel ho vnderstode: riȝt wel whannes hit come [ 272] For whan hit out of heuene com: & of oure louerdes honde What noblerere relik miȝte þer beo: y ne mai non vnderstonde [ 274] Þerfore seint kenelmes day: as þe pope makede his heste At Rome hi holdeþ heȝliche: & makeþ suyþe gret feste [ 276] ¶ Þo þe pope to soþe wiste: what was þe tokninge His messager into Engelonde: he sente wiþ pis tiþinge [ 278] To þe archebischop of Canterbury: wolfred þat was þo Lettres he sende þat he scholde: such þing vndergo [ 280] & siche out of þe wode of Clent: if enie man miȝte wite At such an haȝ þorn in Coubache: as hit was in þe write [ 282] And siche out þe holi bodi: þat durneliche lai þere And do þat wiþ gret nobley: þat hi ischryned were [ 284] ¶ Þo þis lettre fram þe pope: to þe archebischop com Of bischops & of Clerkes: his consail þerof he nom [ 286] So þat in þe wode of Clent: þat in Wircestreschire is Hi lete siche þis holi bodi: & fonde hit out iwis [ 288] Vnder þe þorn of Coubage: as þe writ seide at Rome & for þe erore miracle of þe toun: þe whatlokere þerto hi come [ 290] For þe contrai men þer-biside: þat vnder-ȝete þat cas Ouertrowede wel whar hit lay: for þe miracle so fair was [ 292] Anon so hi holi bodi vp nome: a wil spring vp þere stod Of þe stede þer he lai on: þat ȝut is cler & god [ 294] For þer is a wille fair ynouȝ: & euere eft haþ ibeo In þe stede as he lai on: as me maȝ þer iseo [ 296] Þat me clepeþ seint kenelmes welle: þat menie men haþ isoȝt And menie haþ of gret siknisse: þurf þat water ibeo ibroȝt [ 298] Of þe Cite of Wynchecumbe: & of þe contrai þer biside Þe men were mest þat soȝte so: to make þe bodi abide [ 300] For þe bischop hadde iloked: þat hit scholde þider beo ibore & ischryned þer his fader lay: þat arerde þe hous bifore [ 302] Þis men þis holi bodi: þat of Gloucestreschire were & nobliche toward wynchecumbe: with processioun bere [ 304] ¶ Þat folc of wircestre schire: þat wonede þer biside Nome hem to rede menie on: to make þe bodi abide [ 306]

Hi suore þat hi hit wolde habbe: þat no man ne scholde hit hem reue For in þe schire þat hit was ifonde: þat hit scholde bileue [ 308] Bi þe watere of perschore: þis two schires hem mette & conteckede for þis holi bodi: & faste to gadere sette [ 310] So þat hi nome a forme of pees: to do godes grace Iff god wolde his wille schowe: er hi wende out of þe place [ 312] ¶ Fortrauailled hy were sore: þat hi moste slepe echon Hi makede a forme þat hi scholde: ligge & slepe anon [ 314] & wheþer of þuse tuei schires: whatlokest miȝte awake Al sauf scholde wende forþ: & þe bodi mid hem take [ 316] Stille hi leye & slepe faste: þis schiren boþe tuo & reste for here wirynisse: oure louerd hit wolde so [ 318] So þat hi of Gloucestre schire: bigonne to awaki echon Al o tyme as god hit wolde: & of wircestre schire noȝt on [ 320] In pais hi wende forþ here wey: & þe bodi wiþ hem toke Vyf myle wei hi were awend: er þoþere awoke [ 322] ¶ Þis oþere iseȝe hem bigyled: anon so hi gonne awake Hi bigonne to suy þis oþere faste: ac hi nemiȝte hem noȝt of take [ 324] Þis men toward wynchecumbe: þis holi bodi bere Er hi hit miȝte þider bringe: suyþe werie hi were [ 326] So þat hi come in a wode: a lute bi este þe toune & reste þo hi were so neȝ: vp an heȝ doune [ 328] Aþurst hi were for werinisse: so sore þat hit nas ende For seint Kenelmes loue hi bede: som drinke oure louerd hem [ 330] sende A cold welle & fair þer sprong: anoueward þis doune Þat ȝut is þer fair & cold: a myle fram þe toune [ 332] Wel faire hit is iheled nouȝ: wiþ fair ston as riȝt is And redi ech man to drinke þerof: þat comeþ þerforþ iwis [ 334] ¶ Þe monekes siþþe of wynchecumbe: arerd habbeþ þerbiside A fair chapel of seint kenelm: þat men sicheþ wide [ 336] ¶ Quendride þe liþere quene: at wynchecumbe þo was He nuste hire broþer noȝt so neȝ: ne noȝt of þat cas [ 338] Heo sat in seint peteres churche: biside þe abbey ȝate In a soler in þe est side: & lokede out þerate [ 340] Þo seȝ heo al þis grete folc: anoueward þe doune anheȝ To-ward wynchecumbe come: riȝt vnder souþ leȝ [ 342] Heo of eschte what men hit were: & what hi þoȝte þere Me seide hire þat hi to churche wolde: & hire broþer bere [ 344]

¶ Þo was þis quene sorie: in gret deol & fere Hire sautere heo nom an honde: as heo witles were [ 346] Of þe sautere þe furste saume: tofore euesong iwis Of cursing of liþere men: & of mansing ymaked is [ 348] Dominus laudem hit is icliped: þis saume þe quene radde For acorsi hire broþer bodi: & þat him þider ladde [ 350] Þo heo com to þe neoȝenteoþe vers: as þe mansing endeþ iwis Þat hoc opus eorum: a latyn icliped is [ 352] Þat saiþ what men hit scholde beo: þat scholde afonge such dede ¶ Vpe hire owe heued hit com: þo heo gan þat vers rede For riȝt as heo þe vers radde: out berste aiþere hire eȝe & fulle adoun vpe hire sautere: as manie men iseȝe [ 356] & þat was me þinȝþ wel ido: dai þat hire bymene Heo ne biloȝ noȝt hire trecherie: hire biȝete was wel lene [ 358] Þe sauter is ȝut at Malmesbury: & ho-so wole come þerto Þerinne me mai iseo: whar þe dede was ido [ 360] Þis holi bodi was forþ ibore: wiþ gret honour atte fyne To þe abbay as he liþ ȝut: & ido in noble schryne [ 362] ¶ Þis liþere quene deide siþþe: in schindisse ynouȝ Þis bodi as a corsed wrecche: in a foul dich me drouȝ [ 364] In þe fouleste þat þere was neȝ: & þerinne me hit slouȝ Bote hire ending schindful were: iwis hit were wouȝ [ 366] Nou god for seint kenelmes loue: his suete grace ous sende Þat we mote to þulke ioye: þat he is inne wende: Amen. [ 368]

[St. Margaret follows; then St. Mary Magdalen; then St. Cristine; & St. James.]

XIV. A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES'S.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 100b.)

In þe Cite of leouns: a ȝung man þer was also Þat ofte to seint Jame wende: & grete loue hadde þerto [ 2] O tyme as he þuder wende: he dude ane folie Þat menie to helle bringeþ: þe sinne of lecherie [ 4] Toward seint Jame he wende forþ: er he ischcryue were Þe deuel was wel ȝurne aboute: him to mislere [ 6]

Aȝen him hi com in þe wei: swiþe mylde & softe Riȝt as he seint Jame were: as he bigyleþ men ofte [ 8] Wostou euere ho ic am he seide: þoþer seide nai Ich am þulke he seide þat þu hast: isued manie o dai [ 10] Seint Jame toward wam þu ert: y ne makie of þe no mone Þat þu nedost swiþ wel: of eche þing bote of one [ 12] Þat þu dudest þe lecherie: er þu wendest to me Among alle men if þat nere: mest ic preisi þe [ 14] ¶ Seint Jame merci quath þis oþer: ic crie me milce & ore Forȝif me þulke liþere sinne: y nele do so no more [ 16] A bean frere quaþ þis oþer: strong is þi misdede Þu ne miȝt me neuere paye wel: bote þu do as ic rede [ 18] Þe membre þu most kerue of: wherwiþ þu isynewed hast Þe synne ic wole forȝyue þe þanne: whan he is fram þe icast [ 20] And neȝ me þu scholdest beo: in ioye in heuene aboue & þu woldest beo ymartird: & þe silue matir for mie loue [ 22] A louerd, quaþ þis man, seint Jame: haue merci of me & ic wole me martir for mi synne: & for þe loue of þe [ 24] ¶ Þis wrecche man carf of his membres: & awei fram him caste & siþþe þurf his false red: him aslouȝ atte laste [ 26] Iredi was þe schrewe þere: þe soule he nom anon & wel glad bigan in his manere: toward helle gon [ 28] Ne forget noȝt seint Jame his pelegrim: for cas þat hi gan bitide Aȝen þe deuel he com adoun: & bad þe schrewe abide [ 30] Þu berest he seide more þan þin owe: & þat ich wole cuþe þe Hastou bitrayd mie pelgrim: moche schame dostou me [ 32] ¶ ȝe al for noȝt quaþ þe schrewe: þu ert hider icome In his synne him silf he slouȝ: & þerwiþ ic him habbe ynome [ 34] Ne mai no manne in dedlich synne: to þe ioye of heuene wende As wel þu miȝt go aȝen: he is myn wiþoute ende [ 36] Þu liþere þing quaþ seint Jame: þu bitraidest him wiþ falshede & wiþ trecherie to him come: þu let him go ic rede [ 38] Ich habbe leue quaþ þe schrewe: to bigyli & bitraye also In eche quyntise þat mai: whi wolde he misdo [ 40] ¶ Þis strif ilaste bituene hem longe: ac þo seint Jame ne miȝte Wiþinne þe schrewe wiþ resoun: come ne wiþ riȝte [ 42] Þu schalt he seide wiþ me come: to an heȝere Justise Þat þe schal þe trecherie ȝulde: for whan þe schal agrise [ 44]

To-fore oure leuedie swete & mylde: þane schrewe he gan lede He ȝal & quakede dulfulliche: þo he iseȝ hire for drede [ 46] ȝe ȝulle moten hi euere mo: & wo ȝou mote bitide ¶ Þe schrewe fond his macche þo: ic wot he scholde abide Þu liþere þing quaþ oure leuedi þo: whi fondestou in alle wise To bynyme ous & bitraye hem: þat beoþ in oure seruise [ 50] Þu ne schalt neuere þis soule broke: for þi trecherie Leoue leuedi quaþ þe schrewe: merci ic þe crie [ 52] Vnderstond þat ich habbe leue: to bigyli men ynouȝ & þat ich him fond in dedlich synne: & þerinne him silue a-slouȝ [ 54] & þat neuere noman in such cas: to heuene come ne miȝte As he myn mid alle lawe: hold me ic bidde to riȝte [ 56] ¶ Þu liþere best oure leuedi seide: to moche ȝoure poer is Allas þat man nele beo war: er he do amis [ 58] As þu mid trecherie: his lyf him bynome Al so ic wole him ȝyue aȝe: his lyf bi riȝte dome [ 60] & þanne he mai cheose as he wole: god man oþer vuel beo Oure leuedi makede þe soule aȝe: to þe bodi fleo [ 62] Fram deþe to lyue he aros: þurf oure leuedi lore & god lyf ladde afterward: & þe deuel doutede þe more [ 64] His membres þat he of carf: euere he dude misse Bote a lute wharþurf he miȝte: whan he wolde pisse [ 66] & þe deuel ȝeode awey: & huld him a-gyled sore Nadde þe schrewe neuere so moche schame: þat he nere worþe more [ 68] For he doþ men euere schame: sorewe him mote bifalle And liþer þrift vpon his heued: amen siggeþ alle [ 70] Nou seint Jame for þe holi stede: þat þu hast in Galiȝ Hel alle þi pelegrims & ous: & bring ous to heuene blis. Amen. [ 72]

XV. ST. CRISTOPHER.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 101b.)

Seint Cristofre was saraȝin: in þe lond of Canaan In no stede bi his daye: ne fond me so strong a man [ 2] Four & tuentie fet he was long: & þicke & brod ynouȝ Such man bote he were strong: me þinȝþ hit were wouȝ [ 4]

Al a contrai where he were: for him wolde fleo Þerfore him þoȝte þat noman: aȝen him scholde beo [ 6] Wiþ no man he seide he nolde beo: bote wiþ on þat were Hexist louerd of alle men: & vnder non oþer nere [ 8] He wende to siche such a man: so þat me him tolde Of þe hexiste þat an vrþe was: & mest poer dude wolde [ 10] ¶ Seint Cristofre him soȝte fur: atte laste he com him to Þe kyng him eschte what he were: & what he wolde also [ 12] Þis oþer seide what he was: & þat he seruise wolde Þe hexte man þat owhar were: & to noman abowe ne scholde [ 14] If he enie such fond: þe king aȝe sede Þat he ne huld of no man: ne nescholde of noman beo in drede [ 16] Here aiþer was of oþer glad: Cristofre him seruede longe ¶ Þe kyng louede melodie: of harpe & of songe So þat his iugelour adai: to-fore him pleide faste & anemnede in his rym: þe deuel atte laste [ 20] Þo þe kyng ihurde þat: he blescede him anon Seint Cristofre nom gode ȝeme: ane fot he nolde gon [ 22] Er he wiste whi hit were: þe kyng was loþ to telle Þoþer seide bote þu telle me: no lenger bileue y nelle [ 24] ¶ Þo þe kyng ne seȝ non oþer: leoue Cristofre he sede Hit was for he nemnede þane: deuel: for ic haue of him drede [ 26] Eke he is quaþ Cristofre: heȝere maistre þan þu Þat ne mai ic noȝt quaþ þe kyng: wel wiþsigge nou [ 28] Haue god dai ek quaþ þis oþer: y nele neuere wiþ þe beo Ich wole siche þane deuel & seruie him: if ic him mai iseo [ 30] ¶ Þe kyng was sorie & alle his: for he nolde abide To siche þe deuel he wende forþ: ac naþeles noȝt wel wide [ 32] For þe schrewe is euere prest: þat to him habbeþ ynome ¶ Þo Cristofre com wiþoute þe toun: gret folc he seȝ come Wiþ grete noblei wel anhorse: swise firse & proute Cristofre hem mette baldeliche: of noman he nadde doute [ 36] Þe maistre þat was firs ynouȝ: com & ymette him anon Beau sire he seide what ertou: & whoder wostou gon [ 38] Ich am he seide in mie seruise: & noman seruie y nelle Bote mie louerd þat ic siche: þane heȝe deuel of helle [ 40] Beau frere quaþ þis oþer ic hit am: wolcome ertou to me Þe beste seruise þat þu wolt cheose: ic wole delyurie þe [ 42]

Cristofre iseȝ his grete folc: & þat he was of gret poer Of such a louerd he was glad: & of such a mestier [ 44] ¶ Þe maister het alle his men: awei bote hem tueye To teche his mester priueiliche: as hi ȝeode bi þe weye [ 46] As hi ȝeode tellinge forþ: of þis liþere seruise A croiȝ þer stod in þe wei: þe deuel him gan agrise. [ 48] Fur in breres & in þornes: al aboute he drouȝ ȝe ne come he neuere in betere stede: for þulke was god ynouȝ [ 50] & þerinne were he alto-drawe: forte ic wolde him bymene & þo he þe croice ipassed was: he tournde aȝe to þe clene [ 52] Cristofre eschte whi hit were: him was loþ to telle Certes he seide bote þu me telle: neuere serui ic þe nelle [ 54] Cristofre quaþ þe deuel: ic wole þe seruie vayn Wiþ þat þu seruie me þe bet: afterward wiþ al þi mayn [ 56] Wiþ a suche croice as þu iseȝe: þe heȝe god þat was here Ouercom & in sorwe brouȝte: me & alle myne fere [ 58] Ek he is heȝire þan þu quaþ Cristofre: & haþ poer more I ne mai hit noȝt ofsake quaþ þoþer: & þat me rueþ sore [ 60] ¶ Sai þat þanne quaþ Cristofre beo leng in þi seruise If ic of þulke heȝe manne ouȝt iwite eny wise [ 62] Forþ he wende to siche oure louerd: wide he gan gon Atte laste he fond an hermyte: þuder he wende anon [ 64] He tolde him clanliche hou hit was: & hou he such man soȝte I-hered beo he quaþ þe heremyte: þat in such wit þe brouȝte [ 66] For he is þi louerd leoue sone: to man he þe wrouȝte ¶ & mid his owe flesch & blod: in þe croiȝ þe bouȝte Þu most sumwhat for him þolie: & faste eche friday I ne faste neuere quaþ þis oþer: ne ȝut y ne may [ 70] Þu most quaþ þis oþer to churche go: & þi beden bidde also I not quaþ Cristofre what hit is: ne y ne mai hit noȝt do [ 72] No quaþ þis hermyte þu ert strong: & her is a water biside Þat noman mai þerouer come: bote he þe heȝire ride [ 74] Þu most in lisnisse of þi synne: þer habbe þi woninge & whan enie man haþ to þe neod: þu most him ouer bringe [ 76] In forȝyuenisse of his misdede: he grantede þis anon Þe ermyte him ȝaf cristendom: & let him þider gon [ 78] Cristofre biside þulke watere: & lute hous makede þere In his hong [sic] he bar a long perche: his staf as þeȝ hit were [ 80]

Whan enie man wolde ouer þat water: vpe his rug he him caste & nom his parche & bar him ouer: & step hardeliche & faste [ 82] For he was so long & so strong: þat þer ne com so heuy non Þat he nolde wiþ him wel baldeliche: ouer þe deope gon [ 84] ¶ A niȝt in þat oþer half of þe water: a voiȝ come & gradde Cristofre hale hale: þat he him ouer ladde [ 86] Cristofre anon vp aros: his parche an honde he nom Wod forþ & ne fond no man: þo he to londe com [ 88] He nas bote vneþe atom: þat he ne gradde also þer He wod forþ & ne miȝte fynde: namore þan he dude er [ 90] ȝut he gradde þe þridde tyme: þo he com hom to londe Wiþ his rod he wod oȝe: a lute child he fond stonde [ 92] Þat child him bad par charite: þat he him ouer bere ȝe com herforþ quaþ Cristofre: y nuste wher þu were [ 94] Wel liȝtliche þis child he nom: & in his armes him caste Eueree as he bar þis child: hit gan to heuye faste [ 96] & þat water him wax also: Cristofre him sore agaste To adrenche so heuy þat child was: þat vneþe he stod atte laste [ 98] He nas neuere so neȝ ouercome: at eche tyme he grunte & blaste & leste þat child were adreynt: he ne þerste hit adoun caste [ 100] ¶ Þo he was to londe icome: as him þoȝte longe er Þat child he sette adoun to grounde: forto kele him þer [ 102] What ertou he seide so lute: & so heuy bicome So heuy þat ic was vpe þe poynte: to adrenche ilome [ 104] Þeȝ al þe wordle hadde ileye vpe me: me þinȝþ so heuy nere No wonder Cristofre quaþ þat child: þeȝ ic heuyere were [ 106] Þan al þe wordle for ic am more: þan al þe wordle iwis & al þe wordle ic makede of noȝt: & al þing þat is [ 108] & þat þu þat soþe iseo: piche þi staf on þe grounde & leuy he schal & bere frut: & blowe in a stounde [ 110] ¶ Þo nuste he whar þat child bicom: Cristofre his staf nom & piȝte in þe grounde: & also hit bicom [ 112] Þo was he sikerere þan he was: & oure louerd louede more Forþ he wende to schewi him: & to prechi godes lore [ 114] He ihurde sigge wher cristene men: in tourment were ibroȝt To confortie hem he wende þider: þat hi ne flecchede noȝt [ 116] Beoþ hardi he seide & stedefast: & doþ as ic ȝou lere Þe iustise sturte vp anon: & smot him vnder þe ere [ 118]

Sitte wel stille quaþ Cristofre: ic rede ne smyt no more Ertou he seide of þulke: þu hit schalt acore sore [ 120] For if ic nere cristene man: ic wolde me awreke anon ȝe bileoueþ on þis Maumetȝ: ymaked of treo & ston [ 122] Þat no miracle ne mowe do: namore þan so moche treo Of mie louerdes Miracles some: bi mie staf þu schalt iseo [ 124] His rod he piȝte in þe grounde: & he gan anon Leuie & blowe & bere frut: bifore hem echon [ 126] On such god he seide ȝe schulde bileoue: þat such virtu mai do Hi ne þerste for he was so moche: o bold word speke him to [ 128] For his faire miracle of his staf: & for his preching also To god tournde in þe place: soue þousend & mo [ 130] To-ward a maner wyldernisse: seint Cristofre wende In Godes seruise to lede his lyf: as oure louerd him grace sende [ 132] ¶ Þe Justise tolde þe kinge fore: þat such a man he seȝ Tourne þatt folc & he ne þerste: for his strenȝþ come him neȝ [ 134] Þe kyng het tuo hondred knyȝtes: siche forto hi him fonde Þat hi him nome & sone ladde: to him faste ibounde [ 136] Forþ wende þis tuo hondred knyȝtes: wel yarmed anon Toward Cristofre his come a lute: hi bihulde him echon [ 138] Hi alle ne þerste come him neȝ: ac hanward gonne fleo & tolde þo hi come hom: þat hi ne miȝte him noȝt iseo [ 140] ¶ What ȝe cowardȝ quaþ þe kyng: nabbe ȝe him noȝt ifounde Ich wole if he is alyue: habbe him faste ibounde [ 142] He sende oþer tuo hondred knyȝtes: þat hi him wide souȝte & þat hi ne come neuere aȝe: bote hi him wiþ hem brouȝte [ 144] Wel yarmed hi wende forþ: & þo hi Cristofre iseȝe Hi stode & ne þerste come no ner: ne vneþe him loke wiþ eȝe [ 146] For he was so gastliche & so moche: þat hi þerste vneþe him iseo He miȝte wiþ a lute lupe: wel sone habbe ymaked hem fleo [ 148] ¶ Þis gode man hadd god game of hem: & eschte what hi wolde We ne þore noȝt þis knyȝtes seide: do bi þe as we wolde [ 150] For þe kyng ous het þe bringe him: þyn honde faste ibounde If þu wolt we wolleþ him sigge: þat we nabbeþ þe noȝt ifounde [ 152] ¶ Nai for gode quaþ Cristofre: ȝe ne schulle noȝt beo iblamed so Ich wole go wiþ ȝou to loke fawe: what he wole habbe ido [ 154] He makede hem al aȝen hire wille: his honden faste bynde & ladde him forþ harde ynouȝ: his honden faste bihynde [ 156]

Bi þe wei as hi him ladde: he gan hem so lere Þat er hi come hom to þe kyng: alle icristned hi were [ 158] Ac naþeles hi ladde him forþ: to þe king faste ibounde Lo sire he seide godes kniȝt: nou we him habbeþ ifounde [ 160] ¶ Þe kyng sat an heȝ vpe his sige: & anon þo he him iseȝ For fere he ful to grounde anon: þat his necke to-berste neȝ [ 162] Þis kniȝtes anon to him come: & þo his wit aȝe com Cristofre he seide tourn þi þoȝt: & bilef cristendom [ 164] Gode man þu miȝt quaþ þis oþer: as wel beo stille Mi bodi þu hast faste ibounde: do bi me þie wille [ 166] Certes sire quaþ þis knyȝtes: þat him hadde þider ibroȝt We habbeþ itake cristendom: we nulle bileue hit noȝt [ 168] ¶ Þe king let þo in grete wraþþe: þis Cristofre in prisoun do & þis kniȝtes bynde faste: & smyte of here heuedes also [ 170] ¶ Þo þe kniȝtes biheueded were: þe kyng him biþoȝte & tuo faire wymmen mid alle: seint Cristofre he broȝte [ 172] Nite het þat on & þoþer Aquiline: forto tourne his mod Þo þis wymen iseȝe Cristofre: as he in prisoun stod [ 174] Hem þoȝte his face briȝtere was: þan sonne oþer mone Merci Cristofre loude hi gradde: cristendom ȝef ous sone [ 176] ¶ Cristofre teiȝte here bileue: & cristnede hem þere Þe king hem let amorwe fecche: & loke hou hit were [ 178] & wende hi hadde þane gode man: in lecherie ibroȝt Þis wimmen þeue him liȝt ansuere: as hi ne þeue of him noȝt [ 180] What, hou goþ þis, quaþ þe king: habbe ȝe itournd þoure þoȝt Honoure oure godes ich ȝou rede: while ȝou is wel idoȝt [ 182] ȝoure godes beoþ worþie quaþ þis wimmen: in faire stede honoured beo Þerfore swopeþ þe stretes: þat alle men hit mowe iseo [ 184] & we hem wolleþ onoure iwis: as riȝt is & lawe ¶ Þe king let do al as hi sede: sone & wel fawe Þo þis maumetȝ were ibroȝt: in þe stret atte laste Þis wymmen nome here gurdles boþe: & teide to hem wel faste [ 188] And drowe hem into al þe stret: & hewe hem to douste þere Goþ hi seide & fecche hem leches: þat hi iheled were [ 190] ¶ Þe king was þo for wraþþe wod: þat o womman he let honge Heuye rekkes bynde to hire fet: þat hire deþ þrowes were stronge [ 192]

Þo þis womman was vp idrawe: hire lymes burste wiþ-inne Necke & synuen & oþer ek: wel auȝte heo heuene iwinne [ 194] In strong fur he let þoþer do: ac no fur ne com hire neȝ Siþþe he let smyte of hire heued: þo he þat iseȝ [ 196] Þis holie wimmen boþe þus: to þe ioye of heuene wende Þurf þe grace þat oure swete louerd: þur Cristofre hem sende [ 198] Þe king let fecche Cristofre: & eschte of him anon Wheder he wolde his maumetȝ seruie oþer to deþe gon [ 200] ¶ Cristofre forsoc here maumetȝ: & here seruise also Þe king het þat me scholde anon: vpe a gridire him do [ 202] And roste him wiþ fur & pich: & þo he was þerinne idon Awei þe gridire mylte: þat fur queynte anon [ 204] & he aros vp wiþoute harme: wroþ was þe king þo ¶ To a piler he let him bynde: & knyȝtes aboute him go Hi schote him to stronge deþe: wiþ wel kene flo Þer schute wiþ bowe & arblestes: tuo hondred kniȝtes & mo [ 208] Ac non arewe neȝ him ne com: ac alle abide biside In þ'eir hi honge aboue him: as hit were forto abide [ 210] ¶ Anon so þe kyng hit iseȝ: for wraþþe þider he wende Ouer Cristofre an arewe heng: þat toward þe king kende [ 212] Boþe his eȝe smyte al out: fur vp in his heued Þe king stod þo for angusse: as his wit were bireued [ 214] Þu vnseli wrecche quaþ Cristtofre: what is worþ þi miȝte Aȝen him þat þu hast bigonne: þu ert wel feble to fiȝte [ 216] Of þi wrecchede ic habbe reuþe: & þat ich wole cuþe þe For mie louerd to morwe wole: þat me martir me [ 218] Smyre þanne þin eȝen wiþ mie blod: & þe tit siȝt god ¶ Þis blynde kyng hadde þerto hope: & wel hit vnderstod Amorwe he let smyte of his heued: & smyrede wiþ þe blod & hadde his eȝen gode & clere: & tournde sone his mod [ 222] Þis holi man he let burie faire: & bileouede on god anon And afeng cristendom: & his men echon [ 224] & to þe ioye of heuene wende: & so hem was bet Þan wende to helle pyne: & seruie here maumet [ 226] Þus seint Cristofre atte laste: þe hexte king out souȝte Nou god ous bringe to þulke ioye: þat he his soule brouȝte: Amen: [ 228]

[St. Martha follows; then St. Laurence, the Assumption of St. Mary, St. Bartholomew the Apostle, St. Giles the Confessor,

the Holy Rood and its miracles, St. Matthew, Seint Michel þarcangle; then the pit of hell &c., printed at the end p. 132-140 of Mr. Wright's edition of Popular Treatises on Science written during the Middle Ages, London 1841; then St. Jerome, St. Denis, and St. Luke.]

XVI. THE 11,000 VIRGINS.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 137.)

Elleue þousend virgines: þat fair cumpaignie was Imartred were for godes loue: ic wole telle þat cas [ 2] A king þer was in Britaigne: Maur was his name A douȝter he hadde Ourse: a mai of noble fame [ 4] So fair womman me niste non: ne so god in none poynte Cristine heo was & al hire cun: swiþe noble & queynte [ 6] Of hire fairhede & godnisse me tolde in eche side Þat þe word cam in-to Engelond: & elleswhoder wide [ 8] ¶ A king þer was in Engelond: a man of gret poer Of þis maide he hurde telle: gret noblei fur & nher [ 10] To spouse hire & his sone: to-gadere he hadde iþoȝt Ac þer nas þe ȝut in Engelond: no cristendom ibroȝt [ 12] ¶ To þe king of britaigne he sende worþ: his douȝter þat was so fair Þat he hire lete marie: to his sone þat was his heir [ 14] If he were þer aȝen: þat þe dede were ido Destruye he wolde al his lond: & him silue also [ 16] ¶ Þo þis message was: to þe king ised Sorie & dreorie he was: he ne couþe þerof no red [ 18] For þe king of Engelond: was heþene & alle his & he wiste wel his douȝter nolde: beon iwedded iwis [ 20] & for þe kyng of Engelonde: was man of grete miȝte & þat he nadde poer non: aȝen him forto fiȝte [ 22] & naþeles trues of answere: aȝe þe message he nom Deol & sorwe & lute ioye: in his hurte þer com [ 24] He ne tolde noȝt his douȝter fore: of þis reuful cas Ac naþeles heo hit vnderȝet: for he so sorie was [ 26] ȝurne heo bad god day & a niȝt: þat he scholde hire rede ¶ A angel þer com to hire a nyȝt: & þuse wordes sede ¶ Ne beo þu noȝt aȝe þis sonde: ac þi fader forto paye Grante iwedded forto beo: at a certeyn daye [ 30]

Wiþinne þreo ȝer þat þu mowe: þi maidenhod honoure & þer wonye mid þe: clene maidenes in þi boure [ 32] Þat þe kynge sone & þi fader: beo at one rede To cheose þe ten maidenes: wiþoute enie wikhede [ 34] Whan ȝe to-gadere beoþ: þat hi fynde ȝou ek þerto A þousend maidenes to ech of ȝou: to seruie ȝou also [ 36] Þat whan alle ȝe to-gadere beoþ: þat ech mowe in his side Honoure here maidenhod & þyn: þat hit beo couþ wide [ 38] So þat me nute maide non: alised aȝe þe & þat he wole cristene beo: þi louerd þat schal beo [ 40] In þisse foreward grante him: in þe þridde ȝere Iwedded to beo in godes lawe: naue þerof no fere [ 42] ¶ Þo þis maide ihurde þis: heo was glad of þis lore Þat heo wiste wharwiþ hire fader: bringe out of sore [ 44] To hire fader heo wende anon: & bad þat hire telle scholde Whi he mournynge ȝeode so: & he seide he nolde [ 46] Ich wot wel þi þoȝt quaþ þis maide: þeȝ þu hit holde stille Of þi message naue þu no doute: ic wole don al þi wille [ 48] Þo gan heo sigge in whiche manere: as þ'angel hadde ised Heo wolde habbe þis heȝe man: if hit were his red [ 50] ¶ Wele þat þe king was glad: þo he hurde þis Þe message he ȝaf an answare: mid gode hurte iwis [ 52] Þo þe teþinge to him com: wel he him paide Sone he let him cristinie: for loue of þis maide [ 54] & þurf his fader red: & þurf þoþer kynge Elleue þousend maidenes clene: to þis maide hi lete bringe [ 56] Wher me miȝte fynde nou as sone: as me miȝte þo I ne wene noȝt wher me scholde: in al þis toun fynde mo [ 58] ¶ Þis maide was glad of þe cumpaignye: þat to hire com Sone heo gan in priueite: teche hem of cristendom [ 60] Þat for hire loue & hire prechinge: alle cristene hi were Louerd which a cumpaignye: of clene maidenes was þere [ 62] So glad was þe king of his douȝter: & of hire faire ferede Þat he hem let makie a schip: of gret lengþe & brede [ 64] Þat hi scholde aboude in þe see: pleye wher hi wolde Þat ech man a londe & a watere: here maidenhod preisi scholde [ 66] Hi songe ofte a londe & a watere: & tresches gonne lede & oþer maner faire pleyes: & alle of faire dede [ 68]

Mete & drinke stilleliche: to schipe hi gonne bringe To þreo ȝeres sustenance: wiþoute leue of þe kynge [ 70] A day hi furde to þe see: & pleide vp & doun For ioye þer bihulden hem: men of menie o toun [ 72] ¶ As hi were in mest pleye: oure louerd a wynd sende Þat drof hem fur in-to þe see: me nuste whoder hi wende [ 74] Wel glade weren hi þo: þe wynd hem drof wel blyue Atte Cite of Coloigne: hi gonne furst aryue [ 76] To damaisele Ourse: an angel þer com þere And hire maidenes bad lede wel: forte hi ymartred were [ 78] & seide hi schulde furþere fare: & alle aȝe wende & in þulke toun ymartred beo: for godes loue attan ende [ 80] Glad was þis maide þurf þis word: forþ hi wende anon Atte Cite of Basilie: hi aryuede þo echon [ 82] Fram þulke euerechone: afote hi wende to Rome Þe pope hem makede ioye ynou: þo hi þider come [ 84] For meniee of hem him were isibbe: & for he was of britaigne Ciriac his name was: hi were wiþ him wel fawe [ 86] ¶ To þe pope an angel þer com a niȝt: & seide þat he scholde Mid þis maidenes ymartred beo: for oure louerd hit wolde [ 88] After þis tyme þis holi man: honourede hem þe more & prechede hem of clanniesse: & of oure louerdes lore [ 90] Tuelmonþ & elleue wyke: alle þis maidenes were At Rome wiþ þis holi pope: þat he dude wel lere [ 92] Ac þe pope þo seint Ciriak: his consail clipie bigan His clerkes & his Cardynals: & menie anoþer man [ 94] Tofore hem al his dignete: he tok vp attan ende & seide he wolde into anoþer lond: mid þis maidenes wende [ 96] His Cardynals were þeraȝen: þat he his dignete gan reue Wiþ wenclen forto go: & his dignete bileue [ 98] Naþeles he wende forþ wiþ hem: al aȝen here rede His Cardinals & his clerkes: gret schame þerof him sede [ 100] ¶ Tuei liþere princes: Maximin & Affrican Þoȝte þat þis maidenes wolde: tourne menie man [ 102] To here prince of Coloigne: hi sende for þan one Þat he whan hi þider come: hem martrede echone [ 104] ¶ Þis child þat schold þis maide wedde: as hi hadde ised King was ymaked in Engelond: þo his fader was ded [ 106]

Þat ladde swiþe chast lyf: & langede wel sore Wiþ þe clene maide speke: þurf strenȝþe of godes lore [ 108] ¶ An angel þer com to him: & bad him in alle wise Þat his moder & his ȝunge soster: he lete baptize [ 110] & þat he to Coloigne wende: wiþ him wiþ al his mayn & afonge cristendom: er hi come agayn [ 112] Þat he bounde hure to him faste: in word & in dede & endede to-gadere here lyf: as he hem wolde rede [ 114] Þe ȝunge king fawe dude: as þangel him gan lere He nom his moder & his soster: & þo hi ibaptised were [ 116] & þe bischop Clement ek: þat hem ibaptised hadde Toward Coloigne forþ wiþ him aȝe: þis maidenes he ladde [ 118] Wel glad was þe ȝunge kyng: þo he to his lemman com As glad was þis maide: þo heo seȝ him in cristendom [ 120] Gladdest he was wiþ his soster: þat het Florentine Þat heo scholde so ȝung & so clene: suffrie deþes pyne [ 122] Ourse of Britaigne þe ȝunge king: of gret ioye him gan lere Þat he huld him faste to hire: & þat he ne flecchede for no fere [ 124] Þat hi miȝte in true loue: togadere ymartred beo & in heuene beo mid ihesu crist: þat hen bouȝte on þe treo [ 126] Þis ȝunge kyng grantede al þis: þis womman noȝt ne wornde His furste þoȝt to true loue: of clannisse he tournde [ 128] ¶ Þe heþene prince ȝare was: þo hi to Coloigne come & liþere men menie on: & þis cumpaignye nome [ 130] Hi suede & cride on hem aschame: to grounde hi hem slowe As so fele wolues among hem: here flesch hi to-drowe [ 132] ¶ Þo hi come to þis clene þing: Ourse of britaigne Þo hi fonde such a creatoure: so fair & so fayne [ 134] Þe prince hire nom & hire bihet: to lete hire go alyue & for hire noble gentise: habbe hire to wyue [ 136] Þis maide seide þat heo nolde: non vrþlich spouse take Þe prince was þo wroþ ynou: þo he was forsake [ 138] ¶ Archers he let hire schute anon: to deþe attan ende & þo heo & hire cumpaignye: to þe blisse of heuene gonne wende [ 140] & þe ȝunge kyng of Engelond: & his moder also & his ȝunge soster Florentine: to deþe were ido [ 142] & þe pope Ciriac: & bischopes menie on Þat for hope of martirdom: wiþ þo maidenes dude gon [ 144]

Ou, louerd, þe grete ioye: of þis swete ferrede Þat martirdom for þi loue: afonge wiþoute drede [ 146] In þe tuo hondred: & eiȝte & þrittie ȝere After þat god an vrþe com: þis maidenes ymartred were [ 148] Þis elleue þousend maidenes: & al þe cumpaignye Ibured were siþþe in Coloigne: in a nonnerie [ 150] An abbod þer was þer biside: þat hurde of þis cas & ofte of þis clene maidenes: gret miracle þer was [ 152] He bad þ'abbot of Coloigne: þat he him granti scholde A body of þis clene maidenes: & he hit wolde do in golde [ 154] ¶ Þo þis bodie him was bitake: tuelfmonþ he let hit beo Wiþoute siluer oþer gold: in a chiste of treo [ 156] Þo þe tuelf monþes were ido: as þe monekes echone At matyns were a niȝt: þe bodie aros vp alone [ 158] & enclynede hire to þe heȝe weued: & wende myldeliche Out þurf al þe couent: faire & stilleliche [ 160] Þis monekes þo hi þis iseȝe: adrad & sorie were To þe tumbe hi wende þer heo was: & ne fonde hire noȝt þere [ 162] ¶ Þis quaþ þ'abbot is oure wreche: for we nadde hire ido In golde riȝt as hit hadde ibeo: for we bihete hire so [ 164] To þ'abbesse of Coloigne: þ'abbot wende anon & tolde þe cas hou hit was: of þe maide agon [ 166] Hi wende to þulke stede: þer as heo was ileid er & heuede vp þe lid of þe þrouȝ: & fonde hire ligge þer [ 168] Faire & euene as heo dude er: so lute lyme þer nas Þat ne lai as he furst dude: fair miracle þer was [ 170] Þ'abbasse was þo glad ynouȝ: & þe nonnen echon & for þe miracle songe an heȝ: & þonkede god anon [ 172] ¶ Þ'abbot bad þat he moste habbe: þo holi bodi eftsone & he hit wolde honoury fawe: as riȝt was to done [ 174] Ac þ'abbesse hit nolde granti noȝt: no þe couent noþer Þat he hit scholde eft lede aweie: þeȝ hit were here broþer [ 176] For hi seȝe hit was godes wille: þat hit scholde bileue þere ¶ Þis abbot wende hom aȝe: wiþ wel dreorie chere Nou god ous grantie for his grace: þat we mowe iwinne Þe heȝe ioye of heuene: þat þis maidenes beoþ inne: Amen: [ 180]

[Seint Simon & Seint Jude follow; then St. Quintin the Martyr, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, St. Leonard the Confessor, & St. Martin.]

XVII. ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 155.)

Seint Edmund þe confessour: þat liþ at Ponteneye Of gode men & true he cam: þeȝ hi nere noȝt wel heye [ 2] Ibore he was in Engelond: in þe toun of Abyndone Glad miȝte þe moder beo: þat bar such a sone [ 4] Mabille þe riche his moder het: þat god womman was ynouȝ For boþ wyf & widne: to holi lyf heo drouȝ [ 6] ¶ A seint Edmundes day þe king: þe gode child was ibore So clene he cam fram his moder: wiþoute enie hore [ 8] & so drie þat no cloþ: þat neȝ þe moder was Ne neȝ þis ȝunge child ibore: noþing isoilled nas [ 10] A seint Edmundes dai he was ibore: þo hit was furst dai Fram þe morwe forte hit was neȝ niȝt: as ded þing he lay [ 12] Riȝt as he were ded bore: for no lyf on him ne say Aȝen eue he cudde furst his lyf: to churche he was ibore [ 14] & for seynt Edmundes day hit was: Edmund icleped þerfore ¶ Þis child wax & wel iþeȝ: elles wonder hit were Þo hit was of enie elde: þe moder hit let lere & Robert ek hire oþer sone: for sones heo hadde hem two [ 18] & tuei maidenes clene ynou: hire douȝtren were also Dame Margerie & dame Alice: þat at Kattesby were ido [ 20] & þat in ordre nonnes were: & liggeþ þer boþe tuo ¶ Dame Mabille þe gode moder: þis children louede ynou & wissede hem to clene lyue: & to godnisse drouȝ [ 22] Þe wile children ȝunge were: ofte heo ȝaf hem mede For to faste þane fridai: to watere & to brede [ 24] Þurf mede & þurf faire biheste: hi wer so þer-on ibroȝt Þo hi were in grettere elde: hit ne greuede hem riȝt noȝt [ 26] Þe moder werede harde here: for oure louerdes loue Fram þe schuldre to þe hele: & harde hauberk aboue [ 28] In suche penance heo ladde hire lyf: þis widue þat was so wys Wel ȝung heo sende boþe here sones: to scole to Parys [ 30] & bitok hem spense lute ynouȝ: as heo miȝte biseo Hi seide aȝe þat hi ne miȝte noȝt: bi so lute beo [ 32] Leoue sones, quaþ þis moder: ic mai beo ȝut wel hende If ȝe wolleþ don after me: ic can ȝou more sende [ 34]

& hit schal ȝut likie wel: bi þan ȝe wite þan ende If ȝe þore mid so lute: out of londe wende [ 36] ¶ Leoue moder, quaþ þe sones: we schulle don after þi lore Ac þu wost we ne mowe noȝt libbe: bote þu ous sende more [ 38] ¶ Þe moder tok wel stilleliche: ech of hem an here Þat hi werede hem eche wike: tueye oþer þrie þere [ 40] & heo wolde hem sende spense ynou: þe while hi at scole were ¶ Þis children ȝeode to scole þo: & dude here moder heste & werede here here þrie a wyke: oþer tueye atte leste So longe hi hem vsede þerto: þat hi hem nome oftere mo [ 44] So longe þat noþer dai ne niȝt: hi nolde hem noȝt forgo Hi vseden hem so wel þerto: þat hi werede hem dai & niȝt [ 46] Þis was lo a god moder: þat teiȝte hire childrene ariȝt And euere as heo hem sende cloþes: as heo hem miȝte iwynne [ 48] Þerwiþ heo wolde heren sende: isued stille wiþ-inne ¶ Seint Edmund þe gode clerc: to eche godnisse drouȝ Þat euerech clerc þat him iknew: hadde of him ioye ynouȝ For oure louerd & his holi grace: mid him was wel ryue [ 52] & þat oure louerd cudde him wel: in his ȝunge lyue ¶ For as he ȝeode a dai: in a mede for to pleye His felawes he bileuede echon: & ȝeode biside þe weye & alone ȝeode vp & doun: & his beden sede [ 56] Þer cam go a fair whit child: to him in þis mede Felawe, he seide, hail þu beo: þat gost þe silue alone [ 58] ¶ Seint Edmund stod in gret[e] þoȝt: wannes þis child cone Ne knoustou me noȝt, quaþ þis child: seint Edmund seide no [ 60] Nam ic þi felawe, quaþ þis child: whoder þu euere go At scole ic sitte ek bi þe: euere bi þi riȝt side [ 62] & wiþ þe ic go in eche stede: ne go þu noȝt so wide & þi pleyfere ic am: & if þu nost noȝ ho ic beo [ 64] ¶ In mie foreheuede iwrite: mie name þu schalt iseo Signe þerwiþ þi foreheued: & þi breost also [ 66] An eue whan þu to bidde gost: & aday whan þu risest þerto Euerech niȝt er þu slepe: as in munde of me [ 68] & þe deuel ne tit poer non: forto greuy þe ¶ Seint Edmund nuste mid þis word: whoder þis child bicom He kneu wel þat hit was oure louerd: gret ioye to him he nom

He nolde forȝete noȝt o niȝt: his lore forto do [ 72] To croici þrie his foreheued: & his breost also & sigge ihesu cristus nazarenus: as he hit iseȝ iwrite [ 74] ¶ Wiþ noþing ne scholde a man bet: wiþ þe deuel him wite In penance & in his lore: þat child dude al his þoȝt [ 76] For godes loue he þolede moche: þat deore him hadde iboȝt In penance he was so wel yused: & þeron ȝung ibroȝt [ 78] Þat þo he was of grettere elde: hit ne greuede him riȝt noȝt ¶ At Parys he was at scole longe: & at Oxenford also He ne dude neuere lecherie: ne neuere ensentede þerto As his schriffader wolde telle: ofte in priueite [ 82] He ne miȝte neuere fynde non: of so gret chastete Pryueiliche at Oxenford: þerfore a dai he com [ 84] To þe ymage of oure leuedi: & bi þe hond hire nom And forhet bifore hire: truliche wommanes mone [ 86] And wiþ truþe holde al his lyf: clanliche to hire one Þe ymage he weddede wiþ a ring: as man doþ his wyf [ 88] Clanliche to holde in spoushode: to hire al his lyf Aue maria gracia plena: þuse four wordes were ido [ 90] & igraued in his ring of golde: for hit acordeþ þerto Wel he huld his truþe siþþe: & his wedding also [ 92] & true spouse was ynou: & nolde noȝt misdo Ich wot me miȝte fynde: ho so soȝte blyue [ 94] Som man þeȝ hit selþe beo: vntruere wiþ his wyue & as ful beo of þe mariage: & as fawe hit vnbynde [ 96] Wele whar enie of ȝou couþe: such an hosebonde fynde ¶ His osteste had a douȝter: þer he was at inne Þat louede moche þis holi child: if heo miȝte of him enie loue awinne Heo ne couþe neȝ non oþer wit: heo fondede forto do [ 100] Folie bi niȝte & bi daye: if heo miȝte come þerto Heo bad him þat heo moste a niȝt: to his bedde wende [ 102] Þis holi child ne wornde hire noȝt: ac dude as þe hende ¶ Þis maide was þo glad ynouȝ: for er heo bad wel ofte A nyȝt þo heo seȝ hire tyme: to his bed heo com softe Hire cloþes he dude of anon: as hit is lawe of bedde [ 106] & makede hire redi to kreopen in: ac wel febliche hire spedde

For seint Edmund hadde a smeort ȝerd: þis womman adoun he redde [ 108] & leide vp hire nakede rug: þat heo neȝ awedde He ne sparede rug ne side noþer: er heo to grounde bledde [ 110] Quenche miȝte hire fole þoȝt: mid blod þat heo schadde & euere seide þis holi man: as he leide on hire faste [ 112] Maide þu schalt lurny þus: awei forto caste Þi fole wil of þi flesch: wiþ suche discipline [ 114] Heo þoȝte lute of fol þoȝt: er þis gode man wole fyne ¶ Þis wenche wende softe aȝe: hire rug smurte sore Heo biȝat so lute þo: þat hire ne longede þuder no more Clene womman heo bicom: wiþoute flesches dede [ 118] & clene maide siþþe deide: as hire schriffader sede Þis maidenes þat beoþ wilful: folie to do [ 120] Ich wolde hi fonde such a lemman: hem to chaste so ¶ Þo Mabille his swete moder scholde: of þis wordle go Seint Edmund hire holi sone: neȝ hire was þo Þe moder him ȝaf hire blescing: þo heo schulde hunne fare [ 124] Blesce ek mie broþer, quaþ þoþer: þeȝ he beo elleswhare Leoue sone, quaþ þe moder: boþe ȝe come of me [ 126] & he is whan þe beoþ o blod: iblesced forþ wiþ þe ¶ Ac ic bidde þe for þe loue of god: & of seinte Marie Þat þu somwhar þi sostren do: in a nonnerie Þat hi mowe lede clene lyf: in godes seruise [ 130] Þat þu ne suffrie þat hi beo: iwedded in none wyse Þis catel þat ich biqueþe: þis dede forto do [ 132] Al ic bitake in þyne warde: & hem þerwiþ also Þis gode womman deide þo: & of widuen was flour [ 134] & in seint Nicholas churche at Abyndone: ibured was wiþ gret honour Vnder a ston bifore þe Rode: in þe souþ side iwis [ 136] A lute wiþoute þe abbay ȝate: þe chapel arered is Aboue hire hit is iwrite: her lyþ on þe ston [ 138] Mabille flour of widuen: & lesing nis hit non For heo was womman of gode lyue: as me miȝte bi hire iseo [ 140] & menie miracle siþþe at Abyndone: for hire haþ ibeo ¶ Nou ne forȝet noȝt seint Edmund: þat his moder him hadde ibede Þo his poer was iwoxe: he pourueide him a stede

& his sostren were ido: in a nonnerie [ 144] Ac wel vneþe he miȝte hit do: wiþoute symonye Atte laste he com to Cateby: in Northamte schire [ 146] Igranted him was þer anon: al þat he wolde desire Boþe his sostren a godes name: nonnen he makede þere [ 148] & lyuede þer al here lyf & holie wymmen were Þe vlþere was siþþe priorasse: of þe leuedies echon [[Margeria] [ 150] For hem haþ siþþe god ido: miracles menie on & bifore þe weued an heȝ: ibured hi beoþ þere [ 152] In a chapel of seint Edmund: þat hi lete arere ¶ Þis holi man seint Edmund: werede stronge here In strongere manere he was ymaked: þan oþer manes were He nas isponne ne iweue: ac ibroide of strenges longe [ 156] & siþþe as me knyt a net: iknyt harde & stronge Of hard hors-her ymaked: þe knottes deope wode [ 158] Þat moche del his bodi orn: in quitoure & in blode Herof he hadde brech & scherte: fram necke to þe hele [ 160] Vneseliche he miȝte ligge: & lutel ese ifele A strong rop þer was siþþe aboue: fram þe schuldre ido [ 162] To his buttok of hors her: to holde hit faste to & siþþe he was byneþe his brech: igurd faste ynouȝ [ 164] Wiþ a strong corde aboue þe here: þat faste to-drouȝ So faste was in eche side: þe here to him ibounde [ 166] Þat vneþe he miȝte bye his rug: oþer lokie to þe grounde & whan he byde him enie þyng: his flesch was so ignawe [ 168] Þat wonder hou he þolede hit: to beo so to-drawe Fet & honde þat nere noȝt: itourmented wiþ þe here [ 170] Necke & heued & al his face: þat wiþoute were He ruddede a niȝt wiþ his here: whan no man ne miȝt hit iseo [ 172] For he nolde þat no lyme: vnypyned scholde beo ¶ A dai he toc al priueiliche: his man his olde here Þat he hem forbrende stilleliche: for hi forolþed were He cast hem in gret fur: ac hit ne com noȝ þer neȝ [ 176] Ac euere hi were iliche sounde: as þis man iseȝ ¶ Þo he seȝ hit ne brende noȝt: he bond þerto faste Heuye stones to drawe hit adoun: & þe water hit vp caste Nadde þat fur poer non: to tuochi þe holi here [ 180] Ac naþeles he tolde his louerd: þat hi forbrende were

¶ Seint Edmund & his felawe: as hit was ofte here wone In a day fram Lenkenore: wende to Abyndone As hi come in a gret faleye: blake monekes he seȝ [ 184] As hit crowen & choȝen were: fleo bi þ'eir anheȝ A lute blac sac as þeȝ hit were: among hem þis foweles bere [ 186] & caste hit vp fram on to oþer: as hi hit to-tere Þat was a soule for his wickednisse: þat hi to helle bere [ 188] His felawe stod & bihuld: & was neȝ wod for fere ¶ Seint Edmund ȝaf him god confort: & tolde what hi were Deuelen of helle he seide hit beoþ: & þat hi bereþ iwis A manes soule of stafgrene: her bifore hit is [ 192] Þat nou riȝt deide late: he ne comeþ neuere in blis He mai singe welewei: þat euere he dude amis [ 194] Forþ hi wende to staf-grene: þat soþe hi fonde þere Þe man ded a lute bifore: & ligge hot in a bere [ 196] No þe gladdere ne miȝt he beo: þat þe deueles him so to-tere ¶ Seint Edmund þis holi man: louede wel his lore For his loue he louede ȝut: godes seruise þe more Mest he louede an oreisoun: þat was of ihesu crist [ 200] & of oure leuedi his swete moder: & of seint Johan þ'ewangelist Þat .o. intemerata: bigynneþ a latyn [ 202] Þe bigynnyng is wel god: & also þe fyn Eche dai bi custume: he seide þis oreisoun [ 204] He nolde hit bileue for no scole: ne for no lessoun Ane dai he hit forȝot: he hadde so moche to done [ 206] ¶ Seint John þ'ewangelist: com to him wel sone A pameri he brouȝte on his hond: gret & strong ynouȝ [ 208] Seint Edmund he nom bi þe hond: & his pamerie drouȝ So heȝe & wiþ so gret eir: as he him wolde altodryue [ 210] Seint Edmund lay & quakede: & dradde of lyue For if he him hadde ismyte: as he drouȝ: he hadde ibeo ded anon [ 212] He quakede & cride dulfulliche: louerd merci seint John ¶ Ich wole for-ȝeue þe, quaþ seint Johan: þu criest so sore & þench bet on oure oreisoun: & ne forȝet hit nomore He ne for-ȝat after þulke tyme: nomore þis oreisoun [ 216] For no studie ne for no neode: ne for þoȝt of lessoun ¶ So wel lurnede þis holi man: & suche grace hadde Þat he bigan at Oxenford: & of art þer radde

Of art he radde six ȝer: contynuelliche ynouȝ [ 220] & siþþe for beo more profound: to arsmetrike he drouȝ & arsmetrike radde in cours: in Oxenford wel faste [ 222] & his figours drouȝ aldai: & his numbre caste ¶ Arsmetrike is a lore: þat of figours al is & of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre: & in numbre iwis ¶ A niȝt in a visioun: his moder to him wende Sone heo seide to what figours: wostou nou entende Leoue moder, quaþ þis oþer: suche as we iseoþ [ 228] ¶ Leoue sone, quaþ þe moder: betere figours þer beoþ Wherto þu most þin hurte do: & þenche her-on nomore [ 230] Heo nom forþ his riȝt hond: & wrot þeron his lore Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot: in þe paume amidde [ 232] In þe tueye heo wrot fader & sone: & holi gost in þe þridde ¶ Sone heo seide her-afterward: entende to þis lore To heuene aȝe þe moder wende: he ne seȝ hire no more ¶ Þo iseȝ seint Edmund: þat hit was al of þe trinite & þat god wolde þat he schulde: ihure diuinite To diuinite as god wolde: þis gode man him drouȝ [ 238] Þer ne spedde non in Oxenford: so wel of ynouȝ Hit nas noȝt longe þer afterward: þat þe Chanceler ne sede [ 240] & þe hexte maystres of þe toun: þat he schulde bigynne & rede He wiþsede & longe seide: þat he nas noȝt worþie þerto [ 242] So þat moche aȝen his wille: nede hi makede him hit do So þat he bigan at Oxenford: of diuinite [ 244] So noble a losed þer nas non: in al þe vniuersite Of redinge he hadde so gode grace: þat menie on to him drouȝ [ 246] His scolers þat ihurde of him: gode men were ynouȝ So pitousliche he wolde rede: & so gode grace hadde þerto [ 248] Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him: nuste ofte what to do Ac sete as in anoþer wordle: & ofte hudde here eȝe [ 250] & wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun: þat men hit al aboute iseȝe Vneþe enie ihurde of him: þat þe betere ne bicom [ 252] & menie bileuede al þe wordle: & to religioun nom ¶ A dai as þis holi man: in diuinite Desputede as hit was his wone: of þe trinite In his chaire he sat longe: er his scolers come [ 256] A lutel he bigan to swondrie: as a slep him nome

Þo þoȝte him in his swondringe: þat a whit coluere com [ 258] Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch: & þe wei to him nom & þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ: & siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ [ 260] Heuene openede hire aȝen: as þis gode man iseȝ Þe sauour of oure louerdes flesch: him þoȝte was in his mouþe [ 262] And al þe clergie him þoȝte of god: þo he awok he couþe Of þe pure stat of crist: & of his mageste [ 264] As angel him þoȝte he couþe: & of his priueite ¶ He bigan so deope desputie: of þe trinite Þat gret wonder me hadde: þurf al þe vniuersite Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were: in Oxenforde þo [ 268] Ne þoȝte þat enie vrþlich man: so furforþ miȝte go Ne wite so moche of godes stat: bote hit angel were [ 270] Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford: þat in gret wonder þerof nere Ac he miȝte of ihesu crist iwite: more þan was in boc [ 272] Whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch: & in his mouþe toc ¶ Ne þoȝte noȝt þis holi man: so moche in his lessoun Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest: in godes passioun O tyme he was in grete studie: of his lessoun a nyȝt [ 276] Þat longe he sat þer aboute: forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt Þo hit was toward þe dai: anapped he was sore [ 278] He lynede adoun vpon his boc: þo he ne miȝte studie nomore So þat he ful aslepe: & vnywar also [ 280] & ne þoȝte noȝt on þe passioun: as he was iwoned to do Þe deuel com to him wel sone: noþing to siche he nas [ 282] Seint Edmund of him was iwar: in swondring as he was He wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel: his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe [ 284] Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon: he ne miȝte him noȝt wawe Þo nom he forþ his lift hond: to blesci him wiþ also [ 286] Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste: þat he ne miȝte noþing do Vpe him he laie as a sak: þat he was al ouercome [ 288] He ne miȝte him wawe fot ne hond: his poer him was binome Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt: so þat he þoȝte sone [ 290] Of oure louerdes passioun: as he was woned to done ¶ Þe deuel ne miȝte þo bileue: vpe him none þrowe For drede he ful sone adoun: bituene him & þe wowe ¶ Seint Edmund aros vp anon: & þe deuel ouercom Strangliche & harde ynou: bi þe þrote he him nom

Þurf oure louerdes passioun: tel nou he seide me [ 296] Ich axie þe hou cristene man: mai best him witie fram þe Me ne schal wiþ noþing quaþ þe deuel: schulde fram mie poer [ 298] So wel as þurf his passioun: þat þy nemnedest er ¶ Þer lurnede þis holi man: as we mowe ek echon In whiche manere we mowe best: þe deueles poer forgon For he hatieþ godes passioun: as man doþ his fon [ 302] & whan a man hit haþ in munde: he wole him fleo anon ¶ Eche tyme of þe dai & of þe niȝte: seint Edmund him gan biseo Þat he diȝte him wel to godes wille: þat he nolde idel beo Oþer he was in oreisouns: oþer at his boc [ 306] Oþer he et oþer he slep: oþer to oþer þing he toc ¶ Þreo tymes him þoȝte he forles: whan he com þerto Whan he rod & whan he slep: & whan he et also For he nas þanne in studie: ne in bede no þe mo [ 310] Ech oþer tyme him þoȝte: to som prou scholde go ¶ So longe þis gode man: to eche godnisse drouȝ Þat his godnisse was wide couþ: & me spac þerof ynouȝ Þe beste prechour he was iholde: þat me owar vnderstode [ 314] For ho-so haþ wiþ him godes grace: his dedes mote nede beo gode ¶ Þo þat of þe croserie: þe pope sende fram Rome To bischops of Engelond: þat hi a wysman nome To prechi of þe croserie: aboute in þe londe [ 318] Þat me wende to iherusalem: & sende here sonde Procuracies hi ȝeue hem ek: þer hi wende aboute [ 320] Of persones to nyme largeliche: þat non nere wiþoute ¶ Seint Edmund was þerto ichose: þis prechinge forto do For he was prechour god ynou: & holi man þerto He nolde of persones nyme noþing: ne no spense take [ 324] Ac whan persones him bode ouȝt: he hit wolde forsake ¶ For whan he seruede ihesu crist: of his owe spense he toc & of persones & of oþer men: ȝiftes he forsoc He ne furde noȝt as þis Arcedeknes: ne þis oþere no þe mo [ 328] Þat persones & pouere preostes: oueral doþ wel wo As he prechede a dai: of þe croiȝ wel longe [ 330] A ȝung man wende among þoþere: þe croiȝ to afonge A womman þat him louede: anon þo heo iseȝ þis [ 332] Hente him bihynde hasteliche: & aȝen him drouȝ iwis

As stif as enie bord: hire honden bicome anon [ 334] Þat heo nemiȝte hem awolde noȝt: noþer synues ne bon Þat þe hond was ek forcroked: heo makede reuliche bere [ 336] Seint Edmund bihuld aboute: & eschte what hit were ¶ Sire merci quaþ þis womman: wrecchede ic am ynouȝ As þis man wolde afonge þe croiȝ: a lute ic him wiþdrouȝ & myn hond is al-forcroked: wharwiþ ic him nom [ 340] In ale wrecchede ic am ibroȝt: allas þat ich euere her com Womman quaþ þis holi man: woltou þe croice take [ 342] If ic miȝte louerd quaþ þis oþer: y nolde hire noȝt forsake Þis womman sat adoun a kneo: & of him þe croice nom [ 344] & þe crokede hond streiȝte forþ: & anonriȝt hol bicom Heo cride & herede ihesu crist: þis was couþ anon [ 346] For þis miracle þer toke þe croiȝ: men menie on ¶ In o tyme of þe roueisouns: þis holi man also Prechede a dai at Oxenford: as he hadde ofte ido In alle halewe churchȝerd: in þe norþ side [ 350] Mid þe baners at vnderne: as men doþ a londe wide As þe holi man amidde al þe folc: in his preching was best [ 352] Þe grislikeste weder þat miȝte beo: com fram þe west Swart & durc & grislich: & ouercaste al þan toun [ 354] Þe wynd bleu ek so grisliche: as al þe wordle scholde adoun ¶ So durk hit was ek þerto: þat vneþe me miȝte iseo Grislikere weder þan hit was: ne miȝte an vrþe beo Þat folc for drede of here cloþes: faste gonne to fleo [ 358] Abideþ quaþ þis holi man: oure louerd is god & freo Þis weþer þe deuel brinȝþ: to desturbie godes lore [ 360] Oure louerd is strengere þan he: ne drede ȝe noȝt so sore He bihuld to god an heȝ: & cride milce & ore [ 362] To schulde hem fram þe deueles miȝte: þat he ne greuede hem nomore ¶ Þo he hadde iseid his oreisoun: þat weþer bigan to glide In anoþer half of þe churche: al in þoþer side Þer hit gan dasche adoun: hit nolde no leng[er] abide [ 366] Þat vneþe þurf þe heȝe strete: me miȝte go oþer ride Ac in þe norþ half of þe churche: þer þis gode man stod [ 368] Þer ne ful noȝt a reynes drope: to desturbi a manes mod

Ac in þe souþ half of þe heȝe strete: hit leide on for word [ 370] Þat al þe stret a watere orn: as hit were a gret flod Þat folc þat fram þe prechinge: for doute of reyn drouȝ [ 372] Hi þat wende bi þe heȝe strete: hadde þerof ynouȝ Ac hi þat bileuede þere: drie & clene were [ 374] ¶ Louerd, moche is þi miȝte: fair miracle was þere In þe toun of wircestre: ful þulke silue cas [ 375*] As þis holi man seint Edmund: in his preching was [ 376] Such weþer þer com ouer him: þat hem drof hit awei also Me þingþ as bi his lyue: fair miracle þer was ido [ 378] So wide sprong his holi lyf: aboute fur & nher Þat me ne huld of holinisse: in Engelond his per [ 380] Imaked he was at Salesbury: Canoun seculer Prouendre he hadde of þe hous: & was tresourer [ 382] Þo he was auanced: he tolde þerof lute He spende aboute pore men: þat oþere dude in prute [ 384] He spende so moche for godes loue: aboute in almesdede Þat vneþe he miȝte half a ȝer: bi his rente his lyf lede [ 386] ¶ To þ'abbei of Stanleghe: he wende þanne ilome & soiournede þer for defaute: of his crop [ 388] For maistre steuene of Laxingtone: þat abbod was þo þere His disciple hadde ibeo: while hi at scole were [ 390] His fille ne et he neuere mo: þat enie man hit miȝte iseo Ne as moche as man nede moste: in god poynt forto beo [ 392] Of him wondrede euerech man: þat him iseȝ ete Hou he miȝte holde his lyf: bi so lutel mete [ 394] Of god mete nolde he noȝt: þeȝ me wolde him bringe Hit was what lutles þat he et: al of grete þinge [ 396] Þane dai þat he masse song: flesch ne et he non Ne þe dai þer bifore: for noþing þat miȝte gon [ 398] Fram þat me lek allan: forte com ester day He ne est noþing þat þolede deþ: as al þat folc isay [ 400] Ne in þe aduent no þe mo: ac þat was lute ynouȝ Aȝen his oþer penance: þat he al day forþ drouȝ [ 402] Hit biful þat þe Archebischop: of Canterbury was ded Seint Edmund was ichose: þerto þurf þe comun red [ 404] Þo þe ellectioun was ymaked in þe Court of Canterbury Anon hi sende here messager: to him to salesbury [ 406]

He wende toward salesbury: ac þer nas he noȝt He fond him in þe toun of Calne: þo he was al isoȝt [ 408] In his chambre he was priueiliche: at his boc wel stille Ne þerste noman to him go: forto wite his wille [ 410] Ac naþeles on þat was him next: as hit were his chamberlayn God teþinge wende to him bringe: þerto he was fayn [ 412] He tolde him þat he was ichose: archebischop to beo Þis holi man him chidde anon: & het him þanne fleo [ 414] Beo stille, fol, he seide, ich hote þe: & go out hunne anon Make faste þe dore after þe: & ne let no man in gon [ 416] To desturbi me of mie studie: ac let me in pays beo Of þis teþinge he told lute: þerbi me miȝte iseo [ 418] So fareþ ȝut þis clerkes: hi ne wilnyeþ no maistrie Ne beo ichose to heȝe men: for gode ich wene ic lie [ 420] ¶ Þis messagers bileuede wiþoute: & carefulle were of þoȝt For þe dai wende forþ: & here message ne dude hi noȝt [ 422] Hi wende for here gode teþinge: to beo nobliche vnderfonge So murie hem þoȝte here semblant: þat he þoȝte þer wel longe [ 424] Here ȝiftes hi miȝte eþe bere: þat seint Edmund hem caste Hi bimende & ofþoȝte sore: þat hi hiȝede þider so faste [ 426] He n'aros ane fot fram his boc: er god þane tyme sende As he was iwoned anoþer dai: ac so forþ wel softe wende [ 428] ¶ Þo he cam out of his chambre: þe messagers come & seide here erande hou hit was: he toc þerof lute gome [ 430] ¶ Þo þe lettres were irad: beau freres he sede Ich wole loke what mie felawes: of þis þing wolleþ rede [ 432] In þe chapitre of salesbury: as riȝt is þat ich do Hi nadde of him non oþer ansuere: þo hit alles com þerto [ 434] ¶ Þe chapitre of salesbury: amorwe was plener Alle þe Canouns of þe queor: þer come fur & ner [ 436] To consailli him of þisse þinge: þe red was sone ido For gladliche at one worde: hi radde him alle þerto [ 438] ¶ Beoþ stille, quaþ þis holi man: what schal þis ised Worþi nam y noȝt þerto: nymeþ anoþer red [ 440] Certes, quaþ þe bischop, þo: & þe Canouns alle also Nou þu ne miȝt noȝt þer aȝen beo: þu most hit nede do [ 442] ¶ Þe bischop al wepinge: cride on him faste And in obedience: him het atte laste [ 444]

Þat he ne scholde noȝt bileue: godes wille to do To buxom to holi churche: & to al þe lond also [ 446] ¶ Þo bigan þis holi man: to wepe & sike sore Nou god he seide ous ȝeue his grace: his milce & his ore [ 448] & ic take god to witnisse: & seinte Marie also Þat if y ne wende synewi dedliche: y nolde neuere hit do [ 450] ¶ Þo hi ihurde þis word: ioyful ynou hi were Hi nome him vp wiþ ioye ynou: & to þe heȝe weued him bere [ 452] & te domine laudamus: songe murie & heȝe Euere wep þis holi man: as þis Canouns iseȝe [ 454] So þat hi come to Canterbury: & dude as riȝt was þere & Archebischop was ymaked: vnþonkes þeȝ hit were [ 456] Ne þer no man eschte þer: whar he toke on wel ynouȝ & wel wissede holi churche: & to alle godnisse drouȝ [ 458] If his lyf was holi er: wel betere hit was þo In penance he was strong ynouȝ: in fastinge & oþer wo [ 460] He hadde euere of seli men: pite & deol ynouȝ For him þoȝte þat heȝe men: dude hem al dai wouȝ [ 462] ¶ O tyme on of his pore men: wende of lyfdawe His beste best to heriet: me brouȝte as hit [was] lawe [ 464] Þo cam þis seli manes wyf: þat careful widue was & mette wiþ þis holi man: as oure louerd ȝaf þat cas [ 466] Heo cride on him deolfulliche: merci & his ore & seide bote þat o best: lute god heo hadde more [ 468] Ne heo nuste in whiche manere: for meseise lyue Heo bad him for godes loue: þat he þe best aȝen hire ȝyue [ 470] ¶ Gode womman, quaþ þis holi man: þu wost wel lawe hit is Þe chief louerd to habbe þe beste eiȝte: whan a man ded is [ 472] To his clerkes he seide a latyn: þat heo hit noȝt ne vnderstod Me þinȝþ hit is a liþer lawe: & noþer riȝt ne god [ 474] ¶ Þis gode wyf haþ forlore hire louerd: þat hire god forþ drouȝ & to leose after hire beste best: me þinȝþ hit were wouȝ [ 476] Nis þat on liþer ynouȝ: þeȝ heo ne lore þat oþer also Þurf þe deuel of helle hit is: & þurf god noȝt ido [ 478] ¶ Gode wyf, he seide, if ic take þe: aȝe þi best to lone Woltou hit witie to myne bihoue: of ic hit esche eftsone [ 480] Aȝe sire, quaþ þis widue: god ȝulde þe þyn ore Þis widue nom hom hire best: & ne ȝuld hit no more [ 482]

¶ Þis cas biful menie o tyme: whan men bede him ouȝt Heriet of pore men: ne wilnede he riȝt nouȝt [ 484] We ne mowe nowhar neȝ: rekene al his gode dede For in penance strong ynouȝ: his lyf he gan lede [ 486] & truliche huld vp holi churche: & schulde hire fram wouȝ Þerfore hadde þe deuel of helle: enuie gret ynouȝ [ 488] He bigan to rere contek: bituene hem anon & kyng Henrie þat was: þe kynges sone Johan [ 490] Þe kyng & moche del of þe lond: aȝen holi churche was As þe kyng er his grandsire: was aȝe seint Thomas [ 492] & þe Couent ek of Canterbury: aȝen seint Edmund hulde faste Ofte hi nome a louedai: ac þe Contek euere ilaste [ 494] ¶ A Legat was þo in engelonde: þat aȝen him was also Stedefast was þis holi man: þeȝ he lute help hadde þerto [ 496] He ne miȝte acordi for noþing: ac þe leng þe wors hit was Ac þis holi man euere nam: his ensample bi seint Thomas [ 498] Wel ofte he bad þe king & his consail: if hit were here wille Holi churche werrie noȝt: ac in pees lete hire beo stille [ 500] Hire franchise as hit was: as hit hadde ibeo ȝare Þe king him þretnede faste anon: bote he bileuede his fare [ 502] ¶ Of þi þretnynge ic drede lute: seide þis holi man For if þu me dryuest out of londe: anoþer red ic can [ 504] For ic can go to parys: as ic habbe er ido & wynne me þer mete ynou: & cloþinge þerto [ 506] If þu letest me to deþe bringe: þu payest me wel ynouȝ Þu ne miȝtest do me nomore honour: þan quelle me wiþ wouȝ [ 508] ¶ ȝut eft as he dude ofte: to þe king he sende He answerede him þe leng þe wors: & nolde noþing amende [ 510] Þo þis holi man iseȝ: þat hit non oþer nolde beo Þurf holi churche he gan to fiȝte: & amansede alle þeo [ 512] Þat werrede þe churche of Canterbure: & eke dude schame & somme þat he gulti wiste: he amansede bi name [ 514] ¶ To þe king & his consail: þe worþ wel sone drouȝ Ne þer noman esche þo: whar hi were wroþ ynouȝ [ 516] Þretinge þer was & bost ynouȝ: seint Edmund him huld stille & fast huld vp þe sentence: & let hem speke here wille [ 518] ¶ Seint Thomas com & spac wiþ him: & fram heuene aliȝte & bad him holde vp stabliche: holi churche riȝte [ 520]

For non vrþlich anuy ne for deþ: ne flecche þu noȝt Ac nym ensample of me & of oþere: þat so deore hire habbeþ iboȝt [ 522] ¶ Seint Edmund ful adoun a kneo: & huld vp his hond also To cusse þis holi manes fet: ac he ne moste hit noȝt do [ 524] Þo bigan he to wepe sore: louerd he seide þin ore Beo nou stille, quaþ seint Thomas: ne wep þu so no more [ 526] Whi wilnestou to cusse mie fet: hit nere no riȝt to do Þu schalt nu ene þi wille habbe: & cusse mie mouþ also [ 528] ¶ Seint Edmund after þulke tyme: stedefast was ynouȝ To deye raþere for holi churche: þan me dude hire wouȝ [ 530] He þoȝte on seint Thomas: hou he out of londe wende Þe while þe king was in mest wraþþe: if he wolde amende [ 532] Ensample he nom of him: & priueiliche ynouȝ Wende him out of Engelond: & into france drouȝ [ 534] He þoȝte ek þat at Ponteney: he was faire vnderfonge & isustened in his anuy: þat ileste swiþe longe [ 536] & also steuene of Langetone: þat Archebischop was Six ȝer was at Ponteney: in þulke silue cas [ 538] So þat seint Edmund vnderstod: of his ancestres ynowe Whan contek was of holi churche: þat to Ponteney drowe [ 540] ¶ Also dude seint Edmund: to Ponteney he wende To abide þe stat of holi churche: when oure louerd hit wolde [ 542] amende Honoured he was þer ynouȝ: of alle þat þer were & euere abod amendement: fram ȝere to ȝere [ 544] ¶ Hit biful þat seint Edmund: as god wolde atte laste Velde his bodi heuy ynouȝ: & febli wel faste [ 546] So longe þat he was so feble: þat me ne radde him noȝt beo þere Ac to soiourny elleswhar: where betere eyr were [ 548] ¶ Þis holi man his leue nom: elleswhoder to wende Þe monekes makede so moche deol: þat hit nas non ende [ 550] Beoþ stille, quaþ þis gode man: fare ic wole þurf alle þinge & come aȝe hider to ȝou: a seint Edmundes day þe kynge [ 552] Louerd in such siknisse: which word þer was ised Ac whan he ne miȝte noȝt alyue: foreward he huld ded [ 554] ¶ Forþ he wende wiþ his men: þer god eyr were To þe toun of soycie: & bileuede þere [ 556]

Þer heo ȝeode so longe as hit was: in siknisse ynouȝ So longe þat he lai adoun: & to þe deþe drouȝ [ 558] ¶ So þat he eschte oure louerdes flesch: & hit was him ibrouȝt He sat & bihuld hit faste ynouȝ: in studie & in þoȝt [ 560] Longe hit was er he spac enie þing: & þo he seide myldeliche Louerd, he seide, þu hit ert: þat ich habbe iloued truliche [ 562] & truliche on þe bileoued: & ipreched of þe also And þu truliche at myn endedai: ert icome me to [ 564] Ich take þe louerd to witnisse: þe while ic haue her an vrþe ibeo Noþing elles y ne wilnede: louerd bote þe [ 566] Louerd þat þis was an heȝ word: & he þat þus sede God & holi moste he beo: & holi lyf lede [ 568] ¶ Þo he hadde ynome oure louerdes flesch: he sat longe in þoȝte & al laȝinge an englisch: þuse wordes forþ broȝte [ 570] Me saiþ game goþ a wombe: & ic sigge game goþ an hurte & in his bed þer he lai: vpriȝt he sturte [ 572] In oure louerd þat he had ynome: wel ioyful he was þo & al his game was in hurte: for his bodi was wel wo [ 574] Þe more his bodi pynede: þe nher he was his ende & whan he were of þisse lyue: he wiste whoder wende [ 576] Þerfore þe more he was: in siknisse & in wo ¶ Þe gladdere he was for he wiste: whoder he scholde go & þe more he loȝ in ioye ynouȝ: & þe muriere him gan like Me nuste him noȝt enes ligge adoun: ne gronye ne sike [ 580] & sat euere glad ynouȝ: & lynede wel ofte Vpe cloþes oþer vpe his hond: as þeȝ he deide softe [ 582] So fair semblant ne makede he non: as þo he was at an ende In þe morweninge as þe sonne aros: out of þis wordle he gan wende [ 584] He deide tuelf hondred ȝer: & two & fourti riȝt After þat oure suete louerd: in his moder was aliȝt [ 586] Me let him openie anon: & his guttes take & burie þer as he was ded: in þe Minstre of seint Jake [ 588] & his holi bodi me nam: & faire let hit lede ¶ To þe abbai of Ponteney: as he him silf sede A seint Edmundes dai þe king: þider he was ibroȝt Foreward he huld þis monekes: & ne faillede hem noȝt [ 592] For þo he ne com noȝt aȝe alyue: ded he com iwis & þer he was ibroȝt an vrþe: & also ischryned is [ 594]

& lyþ þer faire ynou: & wiþ gret honour also Menie is þe faire miracle: þat god haþ for him þer ido [ 596] Nou for his loue we biddeþ god: þat ous deore bouȝte Bringe ous to þe heȝ blis: þat he his soule to brouȝte: Amen: [ 598]

XVIII. ST. EDMUND THE KING.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 162b.)

Seint Edmund þe holi king: of wham we makieþ gret feste Of þat on ende of Engelond: kyng he was her bi este [ 2] For of souþfolc he was kyng: & of þe contray wide For þer were in Engelond: kynges in eche side [ 4] Swiþe fair knyȝt he was & strong: & hardie in eche poynte Meok mylþe & ful of milce: & swiþe curteys & quoynte [ 6] Tuei princes of anoþer lond: þat were of liþer þoȝt Faste here red to-gadere nome: to bringe Engelond to noȝt [ 8] Hubba was þoþer ihote: & þoþer het Hyngar Wiþ grete furde hi come to Engelonde: er enie man were iwar [ 10] In norþhumberland hi bigonne: & þer hi sloȝe to grounde Robbede also & brende to noȝt: & destruyde al þat hi founde [ 12] ¶ Þo hi hadde norþhumberland: clenliche to noȝt ibroȝt Also hi þoȝte al Engelond: hi ne þoȝte raþer bileue noȝt [ 14] Hyngar þat o maister was: his felawe bileuede þere & her bi este wende him silf: to sle þat þer were [ 16] Of þe godnisse of seint Edmund: he hurde moche telle In to his lond he wende anon: to fondie him to quelle [ 18] ¶ In to his hexte toun he com: er enie man were iwar & robbede al þat he fond: & makede þane toun bar [ 20] Þat folc he sloȝ al to grounde: al þat he miȝte ofgon ȝung & old wyf ne maide: he ne sparede non [ 22] Children fram here moder breost: he drouȝ & let hem quelle & alto-drawe tofore here moder: þat reuþe hit is to telle [ 24] Þe modres he let siþþe quelle: þat reuþe hit was ynouȝ Þe toun he brende al to douste: & þat folc aslouȝ [ 26] He of-eschte of þat folc: where here kyng were & hi him teiȝte wher he was: hi ne þerste non oþer for fere [ 28]

¶ For in þe toun of Eglesdone: a god wei þannes hit was Þo þe liþere prince þis ihurde: he ne makede noȝt softe pas [ 30] Ac wende þider hasteliche: wiþ his men echone Hi come &mette wiþ seint Edmund: wiþoute þe toun alone [ 32] ¶ Þo Hyngarwiste þat he hit was: he nom him anon þere & bisigede alle þe men: þat wiþinne þe toun were [ 34] Seint Edmund was faste ynome: in a lute stounde & ilad to-fore þe prince naked: his honden faste ibounde [ 36] As me ladde oure louerd tofore Pilatus: forto afonge his dom Þo his dom was iȝyue: faste me him nom [ 38] & ladde him to a þicke wode: & makede him menie wounde & beote him sore wiþ harde scourgen: & to a treo him bounde [ 40] So þat þis liþere tourmentours: þat beote him so sore Þoȝte þat þeȝ hi him schame dude: þat hi him wolde do more [ 42] Hi stode afur & bende here bowes: & here arewes riȝte And as to a merke schote to him: as euene as hi miȝte [ 44] Þe arewes stode on him þicke: & al his bodie to-drowe & euere stod þis holi man: stille as þeȝ he lowe [ 46] As ful as an illespyl is: of pikes al aboute As ful he stikede of arewen: wiþ-inne & wiþoute [ 48] So ful þat in none stede: ne miȝte an arewe in wende For oþer bote he his bodi corue: & him dude torende [ 50] As þe holi man imartred was: þe holi seint Bastian Also hi rende his holi bodie: & schote þis holi man [ 52] Þat eche pece ful fram oþer: wonder hit was of his lyue Euere he stod as him ne roȝte: & cride on god wel blyue [ 54] ¶ Þo Hyngar iseȝ þat he ne miȝte: him ouercome noȝt He let smyte of his heued: þat he were of lyue ibroȝt [ 56] ¶ As þis holi man his bedes bad: me smot of his heued Ac his bodi was er alto-rend: þat noþing n'as bileued [ 58] & for hit was alto-drawe: hi lete hit ligge þere Ac his heued for me ne scholde hit noȝt fynde: forþ mid hem hi bere [ 60] ¶ In þe wode of Eglesdone: a durne stede hi fonde Among þicke þornes hi caste hit: & hudde hit in þe grounde [ 62] ¶ Þo hi hadde of þis holi kyng: al here welle þere Glade & bliþe hi wende forþ: liþere men as hit were [ 64] Þat heued hi hudde durneliche: þat noman þerto ne come If enie were bileued alyue: & þat heued wiþ hem nome [ 66]

A wyld wolf þer com sone: & to þe heued drouȝ & þer vppe sat & wiste hit faste: aȝe cunde ynouȝ [ 68] For his cunde were betere to swolewe hit: he lickede hit ofte & custe & as he wolde his owe whelp: wiþ wylde best hit wiste [ 70] Siþþe þo come cristene men: & in som poer were ibroȝt Þe holi bodi hi fonde sone: for hit nas ihud noȝt [ 72] Ac for hi ne fonde noȝt þat heued: aboute hi wende wide & longe hi soȝte in eche stede: euerech in his side [ 74] ¶ Hi ne miȝte hit finde for noþing: so þat hi come a day Biside þulke þicke stede: þer as þe heued lay [ 76] Hi nuste noȝt þat hit was þer: þat heued bigan to grede As hit among þe þornes lai: & þuse wordes sede [ 78] Al an englisch. her: her: her: as þeȝ hit were alyue Þo þat folc ihurde þis: þider hi vrne blyue [ 80] Þat heued hi fonde in þulke stede: þer as hit him silue sede Louerd ihered beo þi miȝte: þat þer was a fair dede [ 82] Þat heued hi bere to þe bodie: & sette hit euene þerto & bere forþ boþe wiþ gret honour: as riȝt was to do [ 84] & þe wolf makede þo deol ynouȝ: þo hi þat heued forþbere He ȝal & furde pitousliche: as þeȝ he witles were [ 86] He suede hem euere while he miȝte: ȝullinge wel sore Atte laste he wende al aweie: þer me ne seȝ him no more [ 88] Hi ladde him to seint Edmundesbury: as me clepeþ þane toun Þis holi man al isound: & leide him þeradoun [ 90] In noble schryne hi him brouȝte: as riȝt was to do Þer he lyþ al hol & sound: as hi seoþ þat comeþ him to [ 92] For his bodi þat was so to-drawe: bicom al hol anon As þe while he was alyue: boþe in flesch & bon [ 94] His heued as faste to þe bodie: as hit was euer er In al his bodi þer nas wem: as menie man iseȝ þer [ 96] Bote as his heued was of ismyte: as oure louerd hit wolde A smal red lyne al aboute: schyninge of golde [ 98] Wele whiche fair pelrynage: is þider forto fare To honoury þat holi bodie: þat haþ ibeo þer so ȝare [ 100] Nou god for þe loue of seint Edmund: þat was so noble kyng Grante ous þe ioye þat he is inne: after oure ending: Amen: [ 102]

[Seint Clement follows, & then Seinte Katerine.]

XIX. ST. KATHERINE.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 171.) [The & of the MS. is printed and.]

Seinte katerine of noble cunne: com bi olde dawe Hire fader kyng hire moder quene: boþe of olde lawe King Cost hire fader het: gret clerc þat maide was Þer nas non of þe soue artȝ: þat heo gret clerk of nas Þulke tyme heo was old: eiȝtene ȝer vneþe [ 5] And ic wene in þulke vlþe: heo was ibroȝt to deþe Maxent þemperour: meche londe let crie Þat eche kinriche vnder him: come to Alisandrie And of hem þat bileuede: to do stronge gywise Ech man to do for his stat: to here god sacrefise [ 10] ¶ Þo alle þe men were þider icome: to don here lawe Seinte katerine baldeliche: þiderward gan drawe Heo stod bihalues and bihuld: here gydihede Heo seȝ honoure þe maumetȝ: menie cristene men for drede ¶ Þo hadde heo gret deol in hurte: heo blescede hire anon And forþ anon to þemperour: baldeliche gan gon [ 16] Sire riche Emperour heo seide: þu ert noble and hende Þu scholdest þi poer and þi wit: to som wysdom wende For þe folie ic sigge þat: þat ich iseo her do So moche folc of furrene londe: þat þu clipest herto [ 20] ¶ In gret ioye and wonder in ȝoure hurte: of þis temple ȝe doþ so Þat is ymaked of lym and ston: and of ȝoure maumetȝ also Whi ne biholde ȝe þe heȝe temple: þerof ȝou wondri maie Of heuene þat goþ aboute: aboue ȝou niȝt and daie Of sonne and mone and of þe steires: þat fram þe est to þe west [ 25] Wendeþ and neuer werie beoþ: and neuer hi nabbeþ rest Biþench þe bet and turn þi þoȝt: to som wysdom ic rede And whan þyn owene inwit þe saiþ: þat no whar nis such a dede Al-miȝtie god þu him holde: þat such wonder can make To fore alle oþre honoure him: and ȝoure maumetȝ þu forsake [ 30] Mid oþer reisouns of clergie: þat maide preouede also Þat here godes noþing nere: þat hi aourede hem to ¶ Þemperour stod and ne couþe: answerie in none wise Him wondrede of hire fairhede: and of hire queyntise

Maide he seide abyd her wiþ: forto oure sacrefise [ 35] And we schulle anoþer wiþ þe speke: ic oþer mie Justise ¶ Þis heȝe man after his sacrefise: ȝeode and sat in his trone And al his folc aboute him: me brouȝte þis maide sone Maide, quaþ þis Emperour: þu þenchest gent and freo Of what kyn ertou icome: wonder me þinȝþ of þe [ 40] ¶ Sire Emperour, quaþ þis maide: ic wilnie swiþe lute Of mie kyn to telle þe: for hit were sinne and prute For in his boc þe wise man: Catoun saiþ also Þat man ne schal him silue preise: ne blame no þe mo For so doþ foles þat beoþ idreiȝt: wiþ veyne glorie and prute [ 45] Ac naþeles ic wole wiþ oute prute: of mi kyn telle a lute ¶ Ich am þe kinges douȝter Cost: þat þu wost wel which he is Hider ic com speke wiþ ȝou: þat ȝe bileoueþ amis For me clepeþ him godes wiþ wrong: þat ane fot ne mowe go Ne noman helpe in none wise: ne hem silue no þe mo [ 50] Maide seide þemperour: if þat þis soþ were Al þe men of þe wordle were in gydihede: and þu one hem scholdest lere And me schal leoue alle men: and more hit wole beo note Þan a fol womman as þu ert: ȝoure bolt is sone ischote Sire, quaþ þis maide þo: þeȝ þu lute telle of me [ 55] As god mai þe resoun beo: of me as of þe For Emperour me saiþ þu ert: and ech man is also Þat mai hote and his men mote: nede his heste do Of bodi and soule þu ert ymaked: as þu miȝt þe silf iseo Mid riȝte þi soule maister is: and þi bodi hire hyne schal beo [ 60] If þanne þi bodi maister is: and þi soule his hyne Aȝe cunde þanne hit is and þu worst: þerfore in helle pyne Þurf clergie þis holi maide: resouns makede so quoynte ¶ Þat þemperour ne non of his ne couþe: answerie hire in none poynte Maide he seide þu schalt abide: in warde her mid me [ 65] And bityme ic wole fynde: þat scha answerie to þe Þis emperour sende anon: wel wide aboute his sonde ¶ To þe heȝiste clerkes: þat were in enie londe And bihet hem mede gret: to do a lute maistrie To sustenie vp here lawe: þurf strenȝþe of clergie [ 70]

So þat vyftie maistres come: þe gretteste þat me fond As wide as me miȝte siche: o whar in enie lond Þemperour he seide anon: whi he after hem sende [: Retores] Aȝen a womman to desputi: þat al here lawe schende [ 74] ¶ Nou is þis seide þat on: gret schame ic vnderstonde An Emperour to siche aboute: so wide in eche londe After maistres to plaidi: aȝen a ȝung wenche Whan on of oure knaues miȝte: hire resouns sone aquenche ¶ Nai seide þemperour: heo is wisere þan ȝe wene If ȝe mowe oȝt aȝen hire do: hit worþ sone isene [ 80] For ich wole bet þat ȝe hire ouercome: mid resouns a somme wise Þan we hire mid strenȝþe makede: to do sacrefise Let bringe hire forþ, quaþ þat on: and heo schal sigge anon Þat heo ne spac neuere wiþ wisere men: er heo fram ous gon An angel to þis maide com: and bad hire noþing drede [ 85] For heo scholde hem alle ouercome: and to cristendom lede Þat þurf hire resouns hi scholde alle: afonge martirdom ¶ Þo þis maide ihurde þis: gret ioye to hire heo nom Wel baldeliche heo wende forþ: þo meste hire to com Sire, heo seide to þemperour: ȝyfstou a wys dom [ 90] Þus fole maistres of clergie: bringest and settest a benche To desputie aȝe me one: þat nam bote a fol wenche And if hi ouercomeþ me: þu bihotest hem grete prute And mid strenȝþe makest me wiþ hem speke: and bihotest me lute And þinȝþ me vnriȝt whan ic am: one aȝen hem alle [ 95] Ac ic wole whan god is myn help: afonge what me wole bifalle ¶ Sai me quene what ertou: þat o maister seide [[primus retor] Aȝen oure clergie þenȝþstou speke: turn þi þoȝt ic rede Þu saist þat god almiȝtie: deþ an vrþe þolede here Ich wole preouie þat hit ne miȝte: beo soþ in none manere [ 100] Ho so deyeþ he ne maie: neuere to lyue come Whan al þe vertu of his bodi: þurf deþ him is bynome ¶ If þu saist þat god is ded: þu ne miȝt libbe noȝt If he þat lyf þe scholde ȝeue: is to deþe ibroȝt [ 104] ¶ Nai seide þis holi maide: þu faillest of þyn art [[Katerina] Þe ne tit bote þu speke bet: of þe maistere no part

God hadde euere and euere schal: wiþ his godhede And for loue of ous in oure flesch: he nom his manhede Of two þinges he was ymaked: aiþer moste his cunde afonge For in cunde of manhode ous to bugge: he þolede deþ stronge [ 110] Ac to bileue ded hit was: aȝe cunde of godhede Þerfore he aros from deþe to lyue: þo he hadde ido al his dede Þurf þe stronge deþ þat þurf Adam: we were on ibroȝt Þurf godhede ymengd in oure kunde: nede moste beo iboȝt If þu wiþsaist þis reisoun: anoþer ic wole þe make [ 115] Þat clerkes seide of ȝoure lawe: ȝe ne mowe noȝt forsake Platon þe grete philosophe: þat was of ȝoure lawe Seide þat god wolde iscourged beo: and eke to-drawe Loke hou hit miȝte beo soþ: in oþer manere Bote þat þe mochele god for ous: bicom a lute man here [ 120] As god balaham ȝoure prophete: þat heþene was also ¶ In his boc seide ȝe witeþ whar: if ȝe wolleþ loke þerto Þat þer scholde of Jacobes cunde: a sterre arise briȝte Þat boþe kinges and Dukes scholde: bynyme here miȝte Þat was þat oure louerd wolde: of Jacobes cunde beo ibore [ 125] And ouercome alle þat euer were: siþþe oþer bifore ¶ ȝut þreo kynges of ȝoure lawe: of þulke sterre þoȝte For þe sterre þat god was ibore: and þerfore lok him broȝte ¶ Þo þe maistres ihurde here speke: of so gret clergie Ne couþe hi answerie noȝt o word: ac ȝiue hire þe maistrie [ 130] Certes sire, quaþ þis maistres: so gret cler non þer nis Þat to hire reisouns hire scholde answerie: for hi beoþ soþe iwis We seoþ þat þe holi gost is mid hire: and in hire mouþe We ne conne answerie hire noȝt: ne we ne þore þeȝ we couþe Þerfore bote oure lawe: þe betere we iseo [ 135] Alle we siggeþ mid one mouþe: icristened we wolleþ beo ¶ Hei traitours, quaþ þemperour: beo ȝe icome herto Certes ȝe schulle to stronge deþe: alle beon ido Amidde þe toun he het anon: forbrenne hem echone And hi þane deþ for godes loue: afonge wiþoute mone [ 140] Ac mest reuþ hi hadde of alle: þat hi ifulled nere Þis maide hem gan to conforti: and of cristendom lere And seide here stronge deþ: þat hi þolede þere Scholde beo here cristendom: if hi stedefast were

¶ Þis maistres were igladed þo: gladliche forþ hi ȝeode And nome þane deþ for godes loue: þat me wolde hem beode [ 146] Hi makede þe signe of þe croiȝ: and in þe fur me hem caste Þo hi hadde longe ibrend: and ded were atte laste And þat fur was aqueynt: al hol hi leye þere Whyttere and fairere in heu: þan hi euere were [ 150] Þer nas non so lute wem: noȝt þe leste of hare here Oþer of cloþ apeired were: hi leye wiþ faire chere Þemperour let fecche anon: þat maide katerine Haue reuþe, he seide, of þe silue: and schulde fram pyne Haue reuþ of þi ȝunge bodi: þat so fair is and hende [ 155] Þu schalt libbe in gret noblei: if þu wolt þi þoȝt wende In mie paleys ic wole þe make heȝist after mie quene And after þi forme lete make: an ymage briȝt and schene Ouergult and hire sette: amidde þe Cite And ech man him schal honoure: for honour of þe [ 160] As me schal a god do: þu ne schalt mid al þi lore So moche noblei biþenche: þat y þe nele do more ¶ Sire Emperour, quaþ þis maide: bilef þi fole þoȝt Þu nast no more while to spille: þan to speke so embe noȝt God almiȝtie-es spouse ic am: and al þi blandisinge [ 165] Ne þi tourmentz ne schulle ene: fram him myn hurte bringe ¶ Þemperour hire let stripe al naked: to a piler faste ibounde And bete hire sore wiþ stronge scourges: and make hire harde wounde Þo hi seȝe þat hi ne miȝte: þermid turne hire þoȝt In durke prisoun and in deope: sone heo was ibroȝt [ 170] Þat noman ne ȝaf hire mete ne drinke: for heo scholde for hunger deye Oþer turne hire þoȝt to here lawe: and beo ibroȝt out of treye In prisoun þis maide lai: tuelf dayes and tuel niȝt Þat heo noþer ne et ne dronk: ne seȝ non vrþlich liȝt ¶ A whyt colure fram heuene: com to hire eche dai And broȝte hire fram heuene mete: as heo in prisoun lai [ 176] ¶ A dai as þemperour: fram home was afare Þemperice þoȝte on hire: and hadde of hire grete care Of hire bed wel priueiliche: heo aros at midniȝt And nom wiþ hire sire porphirie: þat was hire priuei kniȝt

Þo hi to prisoun come: hi seȝe þer gret liȝt [ 180] ¶ Hem wondrede wharof hit were: þat þulke stede was so briȝt Þo seȝen hi katerine: in þe prisones grounde And an angel of heuene: smyrie hire wounde ¶ Þemperice cride anon: katerine þyn ore Mi riȝte bileue tech þu me: y nele beo fol namore [ 185] Þe kniȝt als god sire porphirie: loude cride also Þat moche folc þat þer aboute was: sone com þerto Sire porfirie ful adoun to hire fet: and loude he gan to crie Anon þis maide hem prechede of god: and of seinte Marie So þat porphirie and þemperice: þurf þis maide þere [ 190] And tuo hondred knyȝtes ek: ibaptiȝed were Oure louerd him silf com adoun siþþe: to seinte katerine Lo here he seide ic hit am: for wham þu ert in pyne Beo stedeuast in þi tourmentz: and ic wole beo mid þe Þi sige is ymaked in heuene: þer þu schalt wone wiþ me [ 195] ¶ Anoþer dai þis Emperour: after þis maide sende Þat heo were for hunger ded: swiþe wel he wende Þis maide was tofore him ibroȝt: swiþe fair and round What he seide hou goþ þis: is heo ȝut hol and sound Whar beoþ þis traitours: þat hire in prisoun wiste [ 200] Hi habbeþ ifed hire stilleliche: þat noman hit miste Bi þe fei ic owe Mahoun: hi ne schulle nomore He let nyme his Gailers: and turmenti sore ¶ Sire Emperour, quaþ þis maide: is þis god iugement Gultelese men for mie gult: to bringe in such tourment [ 205] Ho þat me haþ þer ifed: he ne dredeþ þe noȝt For an angel of heuene hit is: þat mete me haþ ibroȝt Do me what tourmentz so þu wolt: and let hem quite gon For certes of þat þu hem saist: gult nabbeþ hi non ¶ Hei, hende maide katerine: seide þemperour Þench on þi noble gentrise: for of maidenes þu ert flour [ 211] Turn þi þoȝt and þu schalt beo: þemperesse peer Heo ne schal habbe noȝt tofore þe: bote þat heo is mie fer ¶ Gode man, quaþ þis holi maide: þu spext al embe noȝt Mid al þi poer þu ne schalt: fram ihesu wende mie þoȝt [ 215] Alle þe tourmentȝ þat þu miȝt þenche: of pynes swiþe stronge Þu miȝt do me if þu wolt: iredi ic am to afonge

For noþing ne wilny ic so moche: as mie flesch and blod iwis To ȝyue for mie lordes loue: þat for me ȝaf his ¶ Þo was þemperour so wroþ: þat he was neȝ iswowe Four wheles of ire he let fulle: of rasours kene ynowe [ 221] And makede hem mid gynne turne aboute: þe tuei wheles vpward And oþer tueie euene hem aȝene: in þoþer side doneward Þat ho þat bituene were: in þoþer half ne scholde wende Þat þe rasours nolde al his flesch: todrawe and torende [ 225] ¶ Þo þis maide was: ido þeron to schende Oure louerd crist fram heuene: an angel gan þider sende Þis angel wiþ a drawe swerd: þis wheles alto-heu And þe peces flowe aboute: as corn whan me hit seu And smyte on þis liþere men: wel harde to þe grounde [ 230] Þat four þousend þer were aslawe: in a lute stounde ȝe for gode þat was wel: þer hi miȝte lurne To fiȝte aȝe ihesu crist: mid here false querne To wende aboute here rasours: þe holie maide to drawe Hi nemiȝte hit noȝt wel biliȝe: þat were ibroȝt of dawe [ 235] ¶ Þo nuste þemperour noȝ what do: for deol ne for sore Þemperesse nolde þo: hire stat hele nomore Sire heo seide hou goþ þis: for godes loue þyn ore Ich iseo þis maide is god: and of holi lore ȝoure maumetȝ ic forsake: y ne bileue for no fere [ 240] Þo gan þemperour for wraþþe: loude ȝulle and rore Him þoȝte he ne miȝte for noþing: fram ihesu hire þo wende He het þat me scholde hire lede: to þe tounes ende And hire breosten fram hire bodie: wiþ kene hokes rende And after smyte of hire heued: hire þe more to schende [ 245] ¶ Wiþ gode hurte þemperesse: þane deþ gan afonge Þe quellers heo bad hiȝie faste: and n'abide noȝt to longe Hi nome kene hokes of ire: and hire flesche to-gnowe As me draweþ wiþ combes wolle: here breostes hi todrowe Fram hire bodi mossel mele: and siþþe smyte of hire heued [ 250] Þe bodie for houndes hit scholde ete: vnbured hit was bileued Ac porfirie burede a niȝt: þis holi bodi and god ¶ Þo þemperour þat bodi miste: he was wraþ and wod He turmende menie men: þat nemiȝte hem noȝt skere Þo seide porfirie anon: lo sire whar ic am here [ 255]

Ich burede þyn holi wyf: þat was cristes make And to ihesu crist ich haue also: al myn hurte itake For no poer þat þu miȝt do: y nele him noȝt forsake ¶ Þo gan þemperour for sorewe: alle his lymes to schake Mahoun, he seide, what schalt þis beo: hou schal ic nou do [ 260] Nou ic haue mie wyf forlore: and sire porfirie also Whi nas porfirie al myn hurte: neltou me noȝt rede ¶ Þo wende þis oþer kniȝte forþ: and loude gonne grede And we beoþ cristene bicome: euerechone hi sede We nulleþ þane deþ for godes loue: leue for no drede [ 265] Þemperour þo gan drawe his her: and sore sike and grone Mahoun he seide hou schal ic do: schal ic bileue alone ¶ Whi neltou raþere fecche mie men: after mie leoue wyue Ac þeȝ þu nulle helpe me: y nelle forsake þe noȝt Þis foles þat habbe forsake þe: to deþe schulle beo ibroȝt [ 270] He let nyme porfirie anon: and his felawes echone And let smyte of here heuedes wiþ þe toun: as Mahounes fone ¶ Þo let he fecche katerine: Damaisele he seide Ich wole if þu tourne wolt: forȝyue þe þi misdede And wiþ gret noblei as Emperesse: oueral wiþ me þe lede [ 275] And alle þing ic wole do: also after þie rede ¶ Certes sire, quaþ þat maide: þis wordes beoþ for noȝt Þu ne schalt me neuere fram him bringe: þat haþ me deore iboȝt Do what þu wolt and haue ido: and bring þi wille to ende For þu ne schalt mid no tourment: mie þoȝt fram ihesu crist wende [ 280] ¶ Whar beo ȝe mie quellers: þemperour þo sede Þis wicche ȝe schulle faste bynde: and wiþ-oute þe toun lede And smyte of hire heued anon: and do þe gode dede Þat heo ne bringe ous neuereft: in sorwe ne in drede ¶ Þo þis maide was ibroȝt: to sle wiþoute þe toun To god heo makede hire preyere: a kneo heo sat adoun [ 286] Louerd, heo seide, grante me: þat ech man þat haueþ mone In enie neode oþer anuy: in myne passione Þat he mote to his wille: help habbe sone Þo com our louerd silf and sede: ic granti þe þi bone [ 290] Com her forþ mie lemman: mie leoue spouse also Heueneȝat yopened is: þat þu schalt come to

¶ Þe quellere smot of hire heued: as þe men aboute stode Whit mulc þer orn out of þe wounde: and noȝt o drope of blode Þat was signe of maidenhod: þat þe mulc out com [ 295] Þat clene was wiþoute synne: and wiþoute swikedom ¶ An angel com and nom þe bodi: among alle þe manne And bar hit to þe hul of synay: tuentie iourneyes þanne And burede hit þer nobliche: and faire ynou also Þer ȝut to þis dai: þe bones beoþ ido [ 300] Of hire tumbe þer vrneþ ȝut: holi oylle wel blyue Wher-þurf menie sik men is ibroȝt: to hele and to lyue Wide a londe hit is ilad: ho so hit habbe mote Noble relik hit is: sike men to habbe of bote Þreo hondred ȝer and twentie: after þat god was ibore [ 305] Imartred was þis holi maide: of wham we tolde bifore Noon ihesu crist for þe suete loue: of seinte katerine ȝyue ous þe ioye of heuene: and schulde ous fram helle pine.

XX. ST. ANDREW (follows St. Katherine).

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 174b.)

Seint Andreu þ'apostle: was seint peteres broþer Oure louerd silf to cristendom: him brouȝte and non oþer [ 2] For fischeres hi were boþe: and as hi fischede aday Bi þe se oure louerd com: and here fisschin isay [ 4] Come, he seide, after me: and ic wole ȝou make Manfischers, and þis oþere: here nettes gonne forsake [ 6] And suede him mid þis word: and ne chose noȝt amis Hem was so betere þan to pasken: in þe water iwis [ 8] While oure louerd an vrþe was: mid him boþe hi were And siþþe hi wende wide aboute: cristendom to lere [ 10] ¶ In þe lond of patras: seint Andreu siþþe com He tournde þer wel faste: þat folc to cristendom [ 12] Churchen he rerde al aboute: and teiȝte me þerto Egeas wyf þe Iustise: he makede cristene also [ 14] Þerfore he iustise was wroþ: and wende to patras To þe cite in gret wraþþe: as seint andreu was [ 16]

Cristene men þat he þer fond: sone he let take To make hem wiþ his tourmentȝ: cristendom forsake [ 18] ¶ Seint Andreu sone to him com: sire he seide nym ȝeme Þu þat ert so gret iustise: seli men to deme [ 20] Þe heȝe Iustise of heuene: þu haddest neode to knowe Þat in-to þe put of helle: þe schal deme wel lowe [ 22] ¶ What ertou Andreu, quaþ þe Iustise: þat menie dai haþ igo And idrawe men to þi false god: þu ne schalt neuereft mo [ 24] Ich drawe men, quaþ seint Andreu: to god þat soþ is Ac wrecches and false ȝoure beoþ: and deue and dombe iwis [ 26] Whi saistou so, quaþ þe iustise: þu wost wel mid alle Þat þu þerof loude lixt: hou miȝte hit so falle [ 28] For þe god þat þu of telst: þe gywes while nome And slowe him as he worþie was: bi pur riȝt of dome [ 30] ¶ Nai certes, quaþ seint Andreu: riȝt nas hit noȝt Ac þurf godes wille ous to bugge: he was to deþe ibroȝt [ 32] ¶ Hou miȝte hit beo, quaþ þe Iustise: þat his wille were þerto For þe gywes him wiþ strenȝþe nome: and him slowe also [ 34] ¶ Ich wot to soþe, quaþ Andreu: aȝen his wille hit nas For ic was wiþ him þulke tyme: and iseȝ hou hit was [ 36] For er wel longe he tolde ous fore: hou hit scholde beo Tyme and stede and euerech poynt: as we miȝte siþþe iseo [ 38] If þu woldest þat soþe ihure: and if þu riȝt vnderstode Gret vertu ic wole þe telle: of þe suete holi rode [ 40] Ich wole herkny, quaþ þis oþer: and bote þu do after me In þe Rode as þi louerd deide: ic wole sette þe [ 42] If ic doutede, quaþ þis oþer: y ne prechede þerof noȝt Ac þeron is al myn hope: mie ioye and al mie þoȝt [ 44] Þis þu miȝt telle, quaþ þe Iustise: men þat luueþ þe And for y nelle hit ileoue noȝt: oþer þing þu schalt telle me [ 46] Bote þu bileoue on oure godes: miȝtie of alle þinge In þe Rode þat þu of spext: to deþe me schal þe bringe [ 48] Al miȝtie god, quaþ þis oþer: ich herie niȝt and day Ich bileoue on him and herie wole: þe while ic speke may [ 50] ¶ Þe Iustise was þo wroþ ynouȝ: seint Andreu he let caste In strong prisoun and he lai þer: þe while hit ilaste [ 52] As þe iustise sat amorwe in his sige: to him he was ibroȝt Andreu, he seide, ic hopie wel: þat þu beo bet biþoȝt [ 54]

And þat þou habbe fram folie: þi þoȝt itournd to niȝt To libbe wiþ ous in ioye gret: and leue þin vnriȝt [ 56] ¶ Þu liþere bern, quaþ seint Andreu: þu huntest aboute noȝt Þe more tourment þu me dost: þe gladdere is mie þoȝt [ 58] For þe mo tourmentȝ þat ich þolie for mie louerd: er þat ich deye Þe more worþ mi ioye wiþ him: in þe ioye of heuene heye [ 60] Ich doutie more of þe þan of me: for mie pyne nele ileste Bote o dai oþer tueye her: oþer þreo atte meste [ 62] Ac þe tourment þat þu schalt habbe: wharto þu schalt wende In tuenti þousend ȝer ne mo: ne worþ ibroȝt to ende [ 64] Þo was þe Iustise swiþe wroþ: he het his men anon Seint Andreu scourgi so: þo þat him oke ech bon [ 66] And siþþe bynde him honde and fet: to þe Rode faste Wiþ stronge corden for his lyf: scholde þe lengore ilaste [ 68] And he þe more in pyne beo: and þe more schede of his blode Þe tourmentours wel ynouȝ: his heste vnderstode [ 70] Anon to þe bon hi beoten him furst: wiþ stronge scourges gode In to þe vrþe hi pulte faste: þe tuei endes of þe Rode [ 72] ¶ Þo seint Andreu iseȝ þe Rode: adoun he sat a kneo Hail beo þu swete Rode he seide: swettest of alle treo [ 74] Þat þu wiþ mie louerdes lymes: ihalewed mostest beo And of ȝymmes preciouses: wel glad ic þe iseo [ 76] And wel glad ic come to þe: wel glad afong þu me For euere siþþe mie louerdes deþ: ic habbe þe [ 78] Nym me nou al fram þis men: to mie louerd þu most me sende For al myn hope and mi wil is: þurf þe to him wende [ 80] Þo he strupte of him silf his cloþes: atte bigynnynge And bitoc þe tourmentours: þat scholde him to deþe bringe [ 82] Faste boþe fet and honde: to þe croiȝ hi bounde Þe honden boþe aboue þe heued: þe fet toward to grounde [ 84] Þat folc com þicke aboute him: he gan to prechi faste Tuei dayes and tuei niȝt: þe while his ly ilaste [ 86] Þat folc þretnede þe iustise: and þicke aboute him come And wolde him alto-drawe anon: bote he him adoun nome [ 88] ¶ Þe Iustise him wolde nyme adoun: seint Andrew him forbed I nele noȝt he seide come adoun: er þan ic beo ded [ 90] For ic iseo mie swete louerd: and erwhile ic iseȝ Þat abydeþ me til ic come: he is her wel neȝ [ 92]

Whan me wolde him nyme adoun: he þoȝte he was anheȝ No man ne miȝte him areche: for euere vpward he steȝ [ 94] Here armes whan hi vpward reiȝte: bicome as stif as treo So gret liȝt þer com aboute him: þat noman ne miȝte him iseo [ 96] Hi hurde him and ne seȝe him noȝt: þat liȝt ileste iwis Forte þe holi soule wende: þerwiþ to heuene blis [ 98] Þo þe soule was forþ iwend: and þe holi bodi bileuede þere Maximille þe iustises wyf: and oþer þat þer were [ 100] Wiþ gret honor hi hit neme adoun: and to buringe bere ¶ ȝut nolde þe iustise ileoue noþing: þat he gan him lere Þerfore amidde þe wey: as he homward wende He ful ded to fore þe men: and his soule to helle sende [ 104] Ac seint Andreu was siþþe: heȝe ilad iwis To þe lond of Constantinople: þer as he ȝut is [ 106] Swiþe glad þat lond is: þat he euere þer com In þisse manere seint Andreu: þolede martirdom. [ 108]

[The Miracles of St. Andrew follow; and then St. Nicholas and his Miracles.]

XXI. SEINTE LUCIE.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 183.)

Seinte Lucie þe holi maide: in Cisille was ibore Wel ȝung heo gan to seruie god: & bileuede synne & hore Dame Entice hire moder het: þat hire to womman brouȝte Of such a child wel glad heo was: as heo wel ouȝte [ 4] ¶ So þat hire moder cam an vuel: swiþe greuous & longe For four ȝer heo hadde mid grete pyne: þe meneisoun [menisoun, la dyssenterie, le flux de ventre.] stronge In fisciciens heo hadde ispend: moche del of hire gode Ac þer nas non þat miȝte hire hele: þat heo ne bledde blode So þat wel wide in þe lond: me tolde of seint Agace Of miracles þat at hire schryue: come þurf godes grace [ 10] In þe Cite of Attenes: þer þis holi womman lay Þat folc wende þider þicke: boþe niȝ[t] & day

Bi menie þousend to-gadere: of eche lond aboute ¶ Þo seinte Lucie iseȝ al dai: of folc so gret route Moder, heo seide, þu hauest an vuel: swiþe greuous mid alle [ 15] And we hureþ aldai miracles: of seint Agace falle Go we forþ þider mid oþere: to þe holi seint Agace And þu schalt þer to hele come: þurf oure louerdes grace ¶ Nou was Lucie stilleliche: itournd to cristendom Ac hire moder heþene was: and al þat folc þat heo of com [ 20] To an heþene man Lucie was: iwedded in ȝunghede Ac naþeles clene maide he wa: wiþoute ech foldede Hire moder heo nom stilleliche: & mid oþere forþ wende To þe tumbe of seint Agace: hire moder lyf to amende Þo hi were þider icome: hi leuede a stounde þere [ 25] And hurde þe masse þer adai: wiþ oþere þat þer were So þat þe godspel: was adai as Lucie vnderstod Of a womman þat while hadde: þe meneisoun of blod And come & tuochede þe lappe: of oure louerdes cloþ ene As he wende in grete presse: and was hol anon and clene [ 30] ¶ Leoue moder, quaþ Lucie: if þu leouest in holi churche And þe wordes of þe godspel: & wold þerafter wurche Þurf tuochinge of seint Agace Tumbe: þu worst hol anon As þe womman was þurf oure louerd: þat after him gan gon Þo þat folc was al iwend: seinte Lucie com [ 35] To seinte Agace holie Tumbe: & hire moder wiþ hire nom Þer hi leye in hire bedes: hi nolde þanne gon So þat Lucie þis maide: werþ aslepe anon Þat holi maide seint Agace: fram heuene to hire aliȝte Wiþ gret cumpaignie of angles: hire croune schynde briȝte [ 40] Lucie heo seide leoue soster: whi trauaillestou so Whi biddestou me so ȝurne þing: þat þu þe silue miȝt do Þi bileue þat is so god: helpeþ þi moder iwis Anon þurf þe and þi godnisse: þi moder iheled is And also as þis Cite: is moche ihered þurf me [ 45] Also schal þi contrai: beo ihered þurf þe ¶ Þo seinte Lucie awok: heo gan to quake sore Moder heo seide þu ert hol: þe neþer drede namore For þe loue of þe holi maide: þat þe haþ to hele ibroȝt Ne fonde þu neuere to bringe me: of mie clene þoȝt [ 50]

Ne let neuere mie spouse in folie: mie maidenhod aspille Ne let me noȝt leose þe longe lyf: for a lute fol wille Ac al þat þu igranted hast: to mie spouse ȝyue mid me Let me hit ȝyue pore men: moder ic bidde þe [ 54] ¶ Þe moder þo heo hol was: god womman heo bicom And þe douȝter þurf þe moder wille: al hire god nom And delde among pore men: while hit ilaste oȝt To him þat hire spouse was: þe teþinge was ibroȝt ¶ To seinte Lucie norice he wende: and eschte hire faste What Lucie were so onbicome: hire god awei to caste [ 60] And whi heo dude hit so awei: and whoder heo dude hit bere Þe norice quenteliche: ȝaf þerof answere And seide to sulle heo haþ ifounde: dureworþe þing iwis Þat is such a þousend worþ: as al hire þing is Þe beste cheffare hit is ibouȝt: þat euere man to drouȝ [ 65] Woldestou enter þerinne in per: þu were riche ynouȝ Þe cheffare was heueneriche: þat þis maide hadde ibouȝt Þoþer wondrede of þanswere: and stod in gret þoȝt So þat þoþer vnderȝat: þat heo cristine was In grete wraþþe he tolde fore: þe Iustise þat het pascas [ 70] ¶ Lucie was wel sone ifet: and tofore þe iustise ibroȝt Maide seide þe iustise: what hastou iþoȝt Bilef he seide þi folie: ic rede in alle wise And to oure godes as riȝt is: þu do sacrefise ¶ Ich haue, quaþ þis holi maide: al þis þreo ȝer ido Mi sacrefise to ihesu crist: and ȝut ic wole also [ 76] Al þat ic hadde ic haue isold: and itake am to his lore And nou ic wole mie bodi þerto take: whan þer nis bileued nomore Ich ȝulde him vp al mie bodi: sire Iustise atfore þe To spene ech lyme in his seruise: do what þu wolt bi me [ 80] ¶ Nou ic wot, quaþ þe iustise: wharto þu tournest þi mod For in hordom and in lechours: þu hast ispend þi god And whan þu nast nomore to spene: þu saist in þi speche Þeron þu wolt spene al þi bodi: and þerof þu dost þreche For þu spext as an hore strong: whan þu wold forsake [ 85] Þi louerde to wham þu ert iwedded: & to lechours take ¶ Iwedded ic was to ihesu crist: þis holi maide tolde Þo ic ifulled was: þulke weddin ic wolde holde

Ac to hordom þu woldest me bringe: whan þu woldest me make Mi swete spouse ihesu crist: for enie oþer forsake [ 90] ¶ Þu him schalt forsake, quaþ þe iustise: haddestou hit iswore Oþer to comun bordel: beo ilad oþer ibore And þer schal menie a moder child: go to licame And ligge bi þe ech þat wole: in hordom & in schame ¶ Ne mai no womman, quaþ þis maide: of hire maidenhod beo ido For no dede þat me do þat bodi: bote hire hurte beo þerto [ 96] For þe more aȝe mie wille: mie bodi defouled is Þe clennere is mie maidenhod: & þe more mie mede iwis ¶ Þe Iustise let aboute wide: into al þe contrai crie Þat alle þat wolde bi such a fair womman: do enie folie [ 100] ¶ To hire come alle þat wolde: for alle heo scholde take For in bordel heo scholde beo ido: & non of hem forsake He het his men hire nyme faste: & to bordel hire lede anon Alle þat miȝte neȝ hire come: hi droȝe faste echon Hi schoue & droȝe al þat hi miȝte: hi nemiȝte hire a fot awinne [ 105] Ne make hire icche anne fot: of þe stede þat heo was inne ¶ Þo nome hi ropes stronge ynou: & to fet & honden tyde And alle þat miȝte þer neȝ come: faste hi drowe & breide A þousend men mid al here mayn: hire one gonne drawe And euere heo lai stille as ston: hi nemiȝte hire enes wawe [ 110] ¶ What, hou goþ þis, quaþ þis Iustise: what reisoun mai þis beo Þat a þousend men nemowe hire enes: of þe stede teo Sire Iustise, quaþ þis maide: þu huntest aboute noȝt ¶ For þeȝ þu haddest ȝut to hem: ten þousend ibroȝt ȝut ic wolde beo for ȝou alle: ic fele bi me her [ 115] Þe holi vers þat seint Dauid: saiþ in þe sauter Þat a þousend men scholde in mie side falle: & to grounde beo ibroȝt And ten þousend in mie riȝt half: and me aprochi noȝt Þerfore hit is al for noȝt: þat þu huntest aboute God is strengere þan þu beo: þerfore nabbi no doute [ 120] ¶ Þu ert wicche, quaþ þe Iustise: þerof me mot þe bringe Mi clerkes & myne enchantours: bynyme schulle þi wicchinge His clerkes he let bringe forþ: and his enchantours echone And hi dude here enchantementz: aboute hire alone

¶ Þo hi hadde ido þat hi couþe: þat folc gan eft drawe And euere heo lai stille as an hul: hi nemiȝte hire noȝt enes wawe [ 126] Þo Iustise þo he iseȝ þis: for wraþþe was wel neȝ wod Certes, he seide, hire wicchinge: ne schal do hire no god ¶ Stronge temes he let fecche: of Oxen menie on And bringe þer þat maide was: and teye to hire echon [ 130] He let hem prikie and harli faste: hi gonne to drawe & tuicche And euere lai þis maide stille: hi nemiȝte hire enes icche Wel ic wene wher me miȝte: þurf enie lasse drawinge Enie womman an vrþe nou: to suche folie bringe Ac for alle men nabbeþ noȝt: of oxen so god won [ 135] Summe þeȝ hit fewe beo: mid lasse drawinge wolleþ gon ¶ Certes, quaþ þe iustise: oþer what we mote do Wiþ oþer þing we schulle hire welde: whan we ne mowe noȝt so Makieþ vpe þe hore as heo lyþ: whan we ne mowe iwynne hire henne As strong fur as ȝe mowe make: þat heo al forbrenne [ 140] ¶ Þo þis fur was strong ymaked: he sat amidde wel stille Ne miȝte þat fur hire enes brenne: ne harmie worþ a fille Þo nomen hi & walde pich: and brinston wel faste And vpe hire tendre bodi naked: al seoþinge gonne hit caste And euere sat þis maide stille: hit ne greuede hire noþing [ 145] Ac prechede euere wiþ glade hurte: of ihesu heuene king ¶ Þo nuste þe liþere Iustise: what he miȝte do more Whan he nemiȝte þis clene þing: ouercome mid his lore A scherp swerd he let & kene: þurf-out hire þrote do To bynyme hire speche: and hire holi lyf also [ 150] Þo heo was þurfout þe þrote ismyte: þe bet heo spac ynouȝ And prechede ȝurne of ihesu crist: & wel smere louȝ ¶ ȝe, heo seide, þat cristene beoþ: glade & bliþe ȝe beo Nou ne beo ȝe adrad of noþing: for gret ioye ic iseo A ioyful teþinge ic ȝou telle: þat soþ is and les noȝt [ 155] Þat riȝt nou is holi churche: in god pees ibroȝt For oure tuei wiþerewynes: þat habbeþ ibeo so ȝare Deoþ riȝt nou to noȝt ibroȝt: ȝe ne þore of hem noȝt care For þe liþere Dioclician: þat so moche harm haþ ido Ipult is out of his kynedom: he ne comeþ neuere more þerto [ 160]

And also Maximian: þat so liþer haþ ibeo Riȝt nou deide in liþere deþe: ȝe ne scholle hem nomore iseo Þis glade teþinge ic ȝou bringe: þeȝ hi fur hunne beo Ihered beo god þat ic moste þis dai alyue iseo Ich wole ȝou non bitake ihesu crist: for ic wole fram ȝou wende [ 165] Bringeþ me oure louerdes flesch: for þat schal beo myn ende Preostes wende forþ anon: and þat folc þat þer stod And fette to þis holi maide: godes flesch and his blod Þo heo hit hadde vnderfonge: and hire riȝtes also And þe oreisouns were alle iseid: þat bifulle þerto [ 170] Wiþ þe laste word heo ȝaf þe gost: as hi amen sede Angles al ȝare were: hire soule to heuene lede Þer heo is wiþ ihesu crist: in ioye wiþouten ende Nou god for þe loue of hire: ous lete þider wende: Amen.

[Seint Thomas follows; then Seinte Anastace, Seint Stephene, Lucian, and Seint Iohan þ'ewangelist and his Miracles.]

XXII. ST. EDWARD.—A Miracle of St. John's.

(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 195b.)

Seint Edward þat was nou late: in Engelond oure kyng Seint Iohan þ'ewangelist: louede þurf alle þing Me ne scholde him noþing bidde: for loue of seint Iohan Þat he miȝte do wiþoute blame: þat he ne grantede anon A dai þer com a pore man: wiþ wel dreorie mod [ 5] And bad him for seint Iohnes loue: þat he him ȝeue som god Seint Edward biþoȝte him þo: he nadd neȝ him noþing For to ȝyue þis pore man: wiþ a goldene ring Þis ring he louede wel ynouȝ: and for þe loue of seint Iohan He ȝaf him ȝut þe pore man: & he ȝeode forþ anon [ 10] ¶ Þer after ward siþþe seint Iohan: com to a kniȝt of Engelond As he was biȝunde see: auentoures to afonde Wend, he seide, whan þu hom comest: to Edward ȝoure kyng And sai him þat he for was [whose] loue: he ȝaf þisne ring Him sende here his ring aȝen: and þonkede him also [ 15] ¶ Þo þis kniȝt com to Engelonde: his erande he gan do

Seint Edward ikneu þane ring: and vnderstod anon Þat þe pouere man þat he him ȝaf: was þe louerd seint Iohn Þulke ring is ȝut at Westmynstre: for relik ido As me scheweþ pelegrims: þer ofte comeþ þerto [ 20] Nou seint Iohn þ'ewangelist: if þi wille is Bidde for ous þat we mote: come to heuene blis.

[Gilbert's and Beket's lives (Percy Society,) follow.]

XXIII. JUDAS ISCARIOT.

(Harl. MS. 2277.)

Incipit vita Iude cariote:

Iudas was a liþer brid: þat ihesu solde to Rode Sum-what me maie of him telle: ac lute of enie gode [ 2] For me ne schal no whar: of him wite bote ho so wole lie Ruben was his fader icliped: his moder Thiborie [ 4] Þis ruben in ierusalem: wonede mid his wyue Þeȝ here sone a schrewe were: hi were of gode lyue [ 6] As þis Ruben bi his wyf: aniȝt ileye hadde Harde metinge his wyf mette: whar of he sore adradde [ 8] Hire þoȝte heo hadde ibore a child: þat al þe wordle was loþ And al þe wordle him a-cursede: and was wiþ him wroþ [ 10] And þat acursed he schulde euere beo: while þe wordle stode And al his cun me cursie wolde: for such a liþer vode [ 12] Þis wyf was wel sore adrad: to hire louerd heo tolde anon ȝe, he seide, hit is þe mase: and also hit wole gon [ 14] Wel ic wot, quaþ þis gode wyf: if ic am mid childe Þat hit is tokning of a bern: liþer and vnmylde [ 16] Þis wyf rekenede þe tyme: and swiþe heo gan iwite And yfele þat he was mid childe: and þulke tyme biȝite [ 18] Sorie heo was and sore of drad: hire freondes heo tolde fore Hi nuste what hem was to done: þo þat child was ibore [ 20] Loþ hem was to murþrie: here flesch and here blod And loþ a bern to norischie: so liþer and vngod [ 22] ¶ So þat he seȝe: a barayl atte laste Þer inne hi dude þis liþer child: and amidde þe see hit caste [ 24]

Þe see him hurlede vp and doun: as a liþer clot Siþþe hit caste him alond: vpe þe yle of Cariot [ 26] Þerfore Iudas cariot: euere icleped he was For in þe yle of Cariot: ifonde he was bi cas [ 28] Þe king and þe quene of þe lond: togadere were longe Ac hi no child for no þing: bituene hem nemiȝte afonge [ 30] So þat þe quene ȝeode adai: and pleide bi þe stronde In þe yle of Cariot: þe liþere bern heo fonde [ 32] Þo heo seȝ hit was a child: manlich and fair Glad heo was and hopede: of him to habbe an heire [ 34] Heo let hit witie in preuite: mid childe heo hire makede Þe king and al þe lond also: þerof were wel glade [ 36] Sone þe tyme heo nom forþ: þat þe child scholde beon ibore Me schowede forþ þe liþere bern: glad was þe king þerfore [ 38] ¶ Þo seȝ hit fair and hende: he let hit nemne Iudas Hit nis noȝt al god þat is fair: isene þer hit was [ 40] Þat child was ido in gode warde: as kinges sone scholde Sone hit ful þerafterward: as oure louerd hit wolde [ 42] Þat þe quene mid childe was: of hir louerd biȝite Glad were boþe king and quene: þo hi hit miȝte wite [ 44] So þat heo hadde a knaue child: þat fair and gentyl was Þe quene vpe him hire hurte dude: and þe lasse vpe Iudas [ 46] ¶ Þe children waxe swiþe wel: Iudas bigan sone To do liþere and qued ouer al: as him was to done [ 48] Children þat he com to: he wolde smyte and bete And breke here armes and here heued: and þat god lete [ 50] To þe kinges sone he hadde enuie: for he was iloued more Of þe quene þan he were: hit of þoȝte him sore [ 52] Þerfore he alto-beot þat child: whan he miȝte hit one wite Ac þe quene him beot sore aȝen: whan heo hit miȝte vnderȝite [ 54] Ac þerfore nolde he neuere bileue: for neuere ichasted he nas So þat þe quene vpbreid adai: þat he fyndling was [ 56] After þulke tyme þis liþere þing: þat child hatede ynouȝ He awaitede his tyme wel: and priueliche hit slouȝ [ 58] ¶ Þo ne þerste he no leng abide: leste he hadde his dom Stilleliche he wende to ierusalem: me nuste whar he bicom [ 60] Þer was pilatus: of þe lond Iustise Þis Iudas anon vnder him: leuede in seruise [ 62]

So wel he louede him anon: þat styward he him made Of al his þing, and het his men: do þat he bade [ 64] Þat o schrewe wiþ þat oþer: maister was as riȝt is For ech þing loueþ his iliche: so saiþ þe boc iwys [ 66] For þeȝ in al a contray: bote tueie schrewes nere ȝut hi wolde felawes beo: if he to-gadere were [ 68] ¶ So þat þis tuei schrewen: þe louerd and þe stiward Adai ȝeode alone pleye: vnder an orchard [ 70] Swiþe faire aples: pilatus iseȝ þerinne Clembe ouer he bad Iudas: and some þerof iwinne [ 72] Iudas brac þe ȝard anon: and sone was in ibroȝt His owe fader orchard hit was: ac naþeles he nuste hit noȝt [ 74] Com þe gode man þat was his fader: and eschte him what he were And bi was leue he brac his ȝard: and what he dude þer [ 76] Iudas seide ic wole her beo: maugre þi teþ bifore And of þis applen habbe and bere: þeȝ þu hit haddest iswore [ 78] ¶ Þis gode man was anuyed: of þis liþer answere Þe schrewe he misdude aȝen: he nemiȝte noleng forbere [ 80] So þat hi neme aiþer oþer bi þe top: and makede stronge wounde Þe schrewe was strengere þan his fader: and broȝte him sone to g[r]unde [ 82] So þat he smot him wiþ a ston: bihynde in þe pate Þat al þe sculle to-daschte: þe brayn ful out þerate [ 84] So þat he slouȝ his owe fader: and þo me miȝte wite Þat his moder mette of him soþ: þo he was biȝite [ 86] ȝut were his fader betere: habbe ibroȝt him of dawe As sone as he was ibore: þan he hadde him aslawe [ 88] Of þ'aplen þat þe schrewe whan: and of þe peren also And bar pilatus and tolde him: hou he hadde ido [ 90] ¶ Pilatus wende anoþer daie: to þe gode manes house And ȝaf Iudas al his god: and makede him wedden his spouse [ 92] For he was maister & Iustise: he miȝte do vnriȝt ynouȝ Þo weddede þe schrewe his owe moder: and his fader aslouȝ [ 94] ¶ As þis gode wyf lai aniȝt: bi hire schrewe louerd þere Heo gan to sike swiþe sore: he eschte whi hit were [ 96] ¶ Certes, sire, quaþ þis wyf: wel aniȝte ic sike sore Wo and sorewe me comeþ to: none womman more [ 98]

Glad ne bliþe ne worþe ic neuer: whan ic me biþenche For ic nadde neuere sone bote on: and him ic let adrenche [ 100] Siþþe ic fond mie louerd aslawe: y not in whiche wise And myn vnþonkes ic am iwedded: wiþ strengþe of þe iustise [ 102] Þo Iudas ihurde þis: sorie he was ynouȝ Certes, he seide, ic am þi sone: and mi fader ic aslouȝ [ 104] Þo was þis gode wyf soriere: þan heo euere were Sone, heo seide, what mowe we do: þat we ischryue nere [ 106] ¶ Iudas ihurde of oure louerd telle: þat he an vrþe ȝeode Þat he halp menie man: in siknesse and in neode [ 108] Þurf his moder red to schrifte: to oure louerd he wende Repentant he was and wilnede: his lyf to amende [ 110] So þat he suede oure louerd longe: to wite of his manere Oure louerd him makede his disciple: to beo apostles ifere [ 112] Siþþe oure louerd him makede apostle: to fondi his mod And siþþe pursberer of his pans: to spene al his god [ 114] For meni men ȝyue oure louerd god: þat were of gode þoȝt To susteynie his apostles: oþer nadde he noȝt [ 116] Ac þo Iudas wiþinne was: and his miȝte founde Of oure louerdes god þat he wiste: he stal al to grounde [ 118] Whan he miȝte of eche þing: þe teoþing he wolde stele A schrewe he was al his lyf: y ne maie no leng hele [ 120] Wel wiste oure louerd þas: and al his liþer dede Ac naþeles he moste fulfille: þat þe prophetes sede [ 122] ¶ Seinte Marie Magdaleyne: to oure louerd com To-fore his swete passioun: and moche oignement wiþ hire nom [ 124] His fet heo wosch wiþ hire teres: and wipede wiþ hire her Wiþ þis swete oignement: heo smired oure louerd þer [ 126] Iudas of þoȝte þis ille: for hit moche worþ was And seide þat hit was vuele ido: þat hit isold nas [ 128] Þreo hondred pans hit was worþ: and þermide me miȝte fille Menie pore man afingred: ho so hit moste sille [ 130] Þat he seide for he wolde: if þe boxes hadde ibeon isolde Habbe ispend and to him: þe teoþing iholde [ 132] Þe teoþing þerof was þrettie pans: sore him of-þoȝte þerfore Þat so menie pans of his þeofþe: scholde fram him beo ilore [ 134] Þerfore oure louerd for þrettie pans: he solde mid vnriȝte Þat he þe teoþing of þulke boxes: to him keouerie miȝte [ 136]

Him suede eche liþeri þewe: for he louede baret and stryf He was strong þeof and man quellere: and also he endede his lyfe [ 138] And suche men schulde anhonge beo: and þo noman hit nolde do Him silf he heng vp a treo: for such deþ he scholde to [ 140] His wombe to-berste amidde atuo: þo he schulde deye His gvttes fulle to grounde: menie men hit iseye [ 142] Þer wende out a liþer gost: atte mouþ hit nemiȝte For he custe er oure louerd: þerwiþ mid vnriȝte [ 144] Nou swete louerd þat þurf Iudas: isold wer to þe treo Schuld ous fram þe liþere stede: þer we weneþ þat he beo: Amen.

XXIV. PILATE.

(Harl. MS. 2277.)

Pilatus was a liþer man: and com of liþer more Bituene a king and a fol womman: in spousbreche ibore Þe king Tirus was an heȝ man: and of grete fame Bi a melewardes douȝter he lai: Pila was hire name And biȝat on hire vnder þe querne: þe liþere bern bi cas [ 5] Þe meleward þat hire fader was: atus ihote was For þe douȝter þat het Pile: and þe fader Atus Of here beire name me makede anne: and clipede him pilatus Þe child wax and wel iþeȝ: and þo hit was of þreo ȝere Þe moder hit sende to his fader: for he was of gret poer [ 10] Þe king hit louede swiþe wel: and let hit wel lere Bi þe quene he hadde anoþer child: boþe in one ȝere Þat child þat was riȝt biȝute: and pilatus also To norisschi and to lere wel: to-gadere were ido As hi wexe hi toppede ofte: þer nas bituene hem no loue [ 15] Ac þat child riȝt biȝute: euer was aboue ¶ Pilatus awaitede his poynt: and þoȝte to ȝulde his while He stal adai stilleliche: and slouȝ þat child wiþ gyle ¶ Þo þe king þis ihurde: he was sorie ynouȝ He nuste what do wiþ þe schrewe: þat his riȝt sone so slouȝ [ 20] He þoȝte if he hit slowe: þat hit were doble wo And þat he nemiȝte bliþe beo: whan he him iseȝe owhar go

¶ Þ'emperour to him sende: after truage of his londe Þe king him biþoȝte hou he miȝte best: paye him of his sonde Pilatus he sende þider: as hit were in ostage [ 25] For þ'emperour him scholde sle: whan him faillede of his truage He sende him word þat he nadde: children bote him on And for al þe god alyue: he nolde his lyf forgon And bote he at his daye: sende his truage Hi his sone do what he wolde: as riȝt is bi ostage [ 30] ¶ Þemperour him louede moche: ac of his schreuhede nuste he noȝt Þe kinges sone of france ek: was in hostage þider ibroȝt He was bet biloued þan pilatus: þeȝ hi felawes were And for þat on was god and þat oþer schrewe: gode felawes neuere hi nere Þe schrewe awaitede wel his tyme: for he was fel ynouȝ [ 35] Bituene hem silue stilleliche: his felawe he slouȝ Þemperour him nom anon: he nuste what wiþ him do He wolde him sle, ac his consail: ne ȝaf him noȝt þerto And seide he was toward: swiþe hardie man mid alle Of a such man miȝte moche god: in to al þe contray bifalle [ 40] ¶ Schulle we lete quaþ þ'emperour: a manquellere alyue go Sire sire quaþ þis oþer: þu hast menie a fo And such man if he bileueþ forþ: gret god maie þe do And if lawe of londe nele: þat þu him lete so go Wel þu wost þat in þe yle of Ponce: schrewen þer beoþ ynowe [ 45] Þer com neuere Iustise: þat hi sone ne slowe Þerfore þu miȝt him sende þider: to beo Iustise of þulke yle And bote he beo queyntere þan enie oþer: he ne scapeþ noȝt a gyle And if he þat lond chasteþ wel: and bringeþ vnder fote He worþ man wiþoute peer: if he duri mote [ 50] ¶ Þo pilatus was þider isend: he wiste wel þe gyle And þe maner enquerede of þe lond: þo he cam in to þe yle He spac faire and mylde: and was euere stille Wiþ fair speche and quentise: he hadde of hem his wille Hi dude al after his wille: and hulde him euere Iustise [ 55] Þer nemiȝte so neuere non: beo in none wise ¶ Þo þ'emperour ihurde þat he miȝte: þat liþere folc so þewe He ne huld non so queynte man: as he huld þe schrewe

Of his queyntise me spac wide: bi daye and bi nyȝte Hou he amaistrede þe yle of ponce: as neuere no man ne miȝte [ 60] For he amaistrede and ascapede: þe yle of ponce so wel [ 60*] Ponce pilatus me him clipeþ: in crede and godspel ¶ Þe king herodes þat was: þo king bi kynde Of þe lond of ierusalem: and of Galilee and ynde Of pilatus he hurde ynouȝ: of his wit and his queyntise Glad and bliþe he wolde beo: to habbe such a Iustise [ 65] Noble ȝiftes he him ȝaf: and fondede in alle wise If he wolde out of þat lond: and leue in his seruise So þat pilatus com to him: and such consail hi toke Þat more þan half his kynedom: he tok him to loke To beo maister of ierusalem: and also of ynde [ 70] In his owe lond he athuld: Galilee of his kynde Þo pilatus hadde þer longe: þe maistrie fur and nher He gan to cuþe what he was: þo he seȝ his poer For ech schrewe wole abide his tyme: to cuþe his felonie He gaderede tresour and oþer god: ynouȝ in his baillie [ 75] And wende to Cezar þemperour: þat was maister ouer þe kinge Of tresour and oþer god ynouȝ: largeliche he gan him bringe And ȝaf him wiþ þat he moste: þe baillie holde þere Of him as he dude of herodes: his kynedom þeȝ hit were ¶ þemperour þat was þe kinges louerd: sone him biþoȝte And gladliche nom þe tresour: þat pilatus him broȝte [ 81] And grantede pilatus al þat lond: to holde bi maistrie Þat he huld er of herodes: þer was gret trecherie He wende aȝe to ierusalem: and to ynde also As louerd he dude alle his hestes: þo he cam þerto [ 85] Herodes sende after him: to accountie after wille Pilatus spac þurf þemperour: and ne ȝaf noȝt worþ afille Þo herodes iseȝ þe trecherie: and þe liþere falshede He huld him bitrayd þurf felonie: he nuste what to rede Þo he seȝ þat he ne miȝte: vndo þemperoures dede [ 90] Pilatus he acursede ilome: for his liþere falshede And þo he ne miȝte him oþer do: bote wraþþe him bar mid riȝte So gret wraþþe hem was bituene: þat no tonge hit telle ne miȝte Þe wraþþe ilaste forte oure louerd: to deþe scholde go Ac for aiþer to oþer sende: acorded hi were þo [ 95]

¶ Þe while pilatus in his lond: louerd and sire was Iudas þat oure louerd solde: to him com bi cas His steward he him makede anon: gode freond hi were For tuei schrewen wolleþ freond beo: þeȝ no mo men nere Iudas was þer his steward: forte he his fader aslouȝ [ 100] And forte he wedde his owe moder: wiþ grete strenȝþe and wouȝ ¶ Suþþe god was ynome: and schulde beo to deþe ido Pilatus þurf þe gywene wille: him demde þerto For þe gywes in ierusalem: in here poer him nome Þerfore hi ne miȝte him quelle noȝt: bote þurf his dome [ 105] Longe after þat he was ded: he repentede him ilome He ne þerste noȝt for þemperour: þerfore come at Rome Ac euere him huld at Ierusalem: among þe gywes faste Ac sore he dradde þemperour: þat he him slowe atte laste Longe hit ful þerafterward: þat þemperour was sek [ 110] In strong vuele and wel long: þat he nas noman ilek Leches he let fecche wide: ac him ne miȝte hele non So þat his o messager: to ierusalem com gon Longe and wide he eschte þer: after sum god leche To a womman he com þat het veronike: þat heo scholde him to sum on teche [ 115] Allas, quaþ þe womman: if þu haddest hider igon Þe while þe prophete her was: þi wille hadde beo idon ¶ A whar, quaþ þe messager þo: þe prophete beo bicome Certes, quaþ veronike: þe gywes him habbeþ ynome To deþe him hi brouȝte on þe rode: þurf pilatus dome [ 120] Þerfore he ne þerste neuer eft: bifore ȝou come at Rome Þe while þe prophete her was: gret ioye ic hadde midde alle Him to neȝ beo: if hit miȝte so bifalle And þo y ne miȝte neȝ him beo: ic him bad a bone Þat ich miȝte ofte his forme iseo: he me grantede sone [ 125] ¶ Mi keuerchief ic him bitok: and he wond hit aboute his face Þat ech man miȝte wel iseo: his miȝte and his grace For þer he leuede his owe forme: þat in his face was In ech poynt þo he hit me tok: þat no defaute þer nas Þulke forme is me bileued: þat ich miȝte igladed beo [ 130] Þurf þe siȝt þat is him so iliche: whan y ne mai him silue iseo Hadde þi louerd þemperour: þe forme iseȝe ene Ich wot he were hol anon: and of his vuel clene

Dame, mercie, quaþ þe messager: maie þulke ymage oȝt For enie gold oþer siluer [siluer: is repeated in the MS.] : to þemperour beo ibroȝt [ 135] Þat nis noȝt, quaþ þis wyf: for al his gold iwis Bugge ne miȝte þe leste hurne: þat þeron is Ac ic wole, quaþ þe wyfe: wiþ þe to him wende If oure louerd him wole bote: þurf his forme him sende ¶ Heo wende forþ wiþ þis messager: and þo heo com to Rome Þemperour hi tolde al þis: þo hi to him come [ 141] ¶ Anon þo he þe ymage iseȝ: he was ol anon He honourede wel veroníke: heo ne moste fram him gon Þe ymage he athuld þat hit ne com: neuereft out of Rome In seint peteres churche hit is: as men iseoþ ilome [ 145] ¶ Þo eschte he whar oure louerd were: and whar he siþþe bicome Veronike him seide hou þe gywes: to stronge deþe him nome And hou pilatus his Iustise: þe dom ȝaf þerto ¶ Ou liþere man, quaþ þemperour: haþ he itake on so Assentede he to þe gywes: and nas noȝt of here lawe [ 150] Ich wole if ic maie to him come: anhonge him oþer todrawe Allas þulke holi man: þat he let bringe of dawe Ich wot þe gywes beoþ wel liþer: hi wolde beo þerof fawe In faire manere he let sende: after pilatus sone Þat he come to him as to his louerd: as riȝt was to done [ 155] Ac pilatus sende ane lettre: to his louerd er Þat he forȝeue him his wraþþe: þat he to him ber And þat he was gulteles of þe deþ: þat me vpe him sede And þat þe gywes him slowe: al wiþoute his rede Ac a strong tempest in þe see: his messager gan dryue [ 160] In-to þe lond of galilee: and þer he gan ariue Ac vaspasian þat was þer maister: þe messager faste nom So þat neȝ þemperour: þe messager neuere ne com ¶ Þo þemperoures messager: to pilatus was icome And pilatus hadde of him: his erande ynome [ 165] He wende þat his owe messager: to þemperour hadde iwend And þat he hadde forȝeue him his wraþþe: and after him isend Oure louerdes curtel he dude on: þat he wiste euer wel Þat vnsued was of þred: as hit saiþ in þe godspel

Wiþ wel glade chere: he wende to þemperour [ 170] And grette him þo he com him to: wiþ wel gret honoure ¶ So wroþ wiþ noman vnder sonne: þemperour nas bifore As he wiþ pilatus was: for his deþ he hadde iswore And for he hadde oure lordes curtel: on whan he bifore him com His hurte was al swaged: wiþ grete ioie he him nom [ 175] He makede mid him al þe ioye: þat man miȝte mid oþer do For virtu of þe holi curtel: and his men also Anon so he was out of his siȝt: his oþ he swor anon Þat to stronge deþe he wolde him bringe: if he miȝte him of gon Ac gret ioye he makede mid alle: whan he to him com [ 180] And euere whan he fram him was: he iuggede him stronge dom Þis maner ileste longe: þat alle þat ihurde þis cas Wondrede moche of þemperour: þat he vnstable was So atte laste þis pilatus: as oure louerde hit wolde His curtel he stripte of bi cas: as he neuere ne scholde [ 185] And com so bifore þemperour: and he anon him nom He swor his more oþ anon: þat he to wroþere hele þer com Sai, he seide, þu wrecche man: sai what hastou ido Slowe þu þe holi prophete: to wroþere hele dudestou so ¶ Certes sire, quaþ pilatus: y ne dude him noȝt to deþe Beo iknowe, quaþ þemperour: for þu miȝt as esþe [ 191] Bote þe liþere gywes, quaþ pilatus: to þe deþe him broȝte Wiþoute þe, quaþ þemperour: neuere such þing hi ne wroȝte ¶ Certes sire, quaþ pilatus: y ne maie noȝt ofsake þis Þat y ne demde him to deþe: ac ic moste nede iwis [ 195] For þenqueste vpe him seide: þat he destruyde oure lawe And lawe ȝifþ þat alle suche: me scholde bringe of dawe And ic þer þat þi iustise was: þurf þin heste and þi rede Moste nede ȝyue þe dom: whan þenqueste sede ¶ Whan þu vnderȝete, quaþ þemperour: þe gywene falshede Whi naddestou ispeke þer aȝe: and desturbed þe liþere dede [ 201] God hit wot, quaþ pilatus: and ierusalem also Þat ic was þer aȝen bi mie miȝte: þat he nere to deþe ido Ac hi were vpe him alle so faste: þat me ne miȝt mid no lawe Whan þenqueste passede: bote he were ibroȝt of dawe [ 205] ¶ If þu ne miȝtest mid riȝte him sauue: þemperour þo sede Hou þerstestou wiþoute mie red: do such a liþere dede

Certes sire, quaþ pilatus: y ne maie wiþsigge noȝt Þat ic þerof ne misdude: in gulte ic am ibroȝt And me schal bi þe, quaþ þemperour: as bi a gultie man do [ 210] Þu schalt passi bi iugement: for þu toke on so In strong prisoun and swiþe durk: sone he let him caste Þat he ne seȝ fot ne honde: he let him bynde faste So longe he laie in prisoun: in hunger and in pyne Þat his lymes clonge awei: his bodie gan al fordwyne [ 215] He hadde leouere his deþ þeran: his lymes so forclonge to noȝte So hi dude alle tofore here deþ: þat oure louerde to deþe broȝte ¶ A dai as þe gailer: into prisoun com Pilatus cride so dulfulliche: þat gret deol to him he nom "Haue reuþe of me, sire, he seide: for þin owe gentrice [ 220] Wel þu wost knyȝt ic am: and while was heȝ Iustice And nou ic her clynge awei: and no siȝt iseo wiþ eye Let me enes per charite: iseo siȝt er ic deye" Þe gayler hadde reuþe of him: such man he hadde ibeo And of prisoun ladde him out: þe worlde forto seo [ 225] ¶ Þo pilatus com to liȝte: as þe boc haþ itold And iseȝ his bodie alforswarted: his hurte ful ful cold "Allas he seide þis dai abide: þat ich euere com in liȝt Sire Renald for þi curteisie: grante me ane bone ȝif me an appel to ete: for ic hit maie do sone" [ 230] Þe gayler him tok an appel: he seide hit was vnriȝt Vnpared an appel take: an heȝ man oþer a kniȝt Such wrecche as ic nou am: ic was while heȝ Iustise Len me a knyf þis appel to parie: for þin owe gentrise Þo þe gayler him tok a knyfe: him silue he slouȝ anon [ 235] And smot him deope in þe bodie: and lai ded as a ston Þo þe teþinge com to þemperour: þat bodie he let take And caste hit wiþoute þe toun: among olde walles forsake Þer ne wende noman þerforþ: aboute in none side Þat he nas lame oþer wod: oþer sum auentoure him gan bitide [ 240] Þer was þundre and liȝtninge: and gret tempest þer aboute Þat hi were witles and adrad: þat hi ne þerste no whar at-route So þat þemperour let take: þe wrecche licame atte laste And bere hit to þe watere of tybre: and þerinne hit caste

Þo com þer a gret tempest: þat þer aboute wel wide [ 245] Þat schipes adreynte þere menie on: þer aboute in eche side ¶ Al þe contray þer aboute hem dradde: and nom hem to rede And in-to a watere fur fram men: þis licame gonne lede Bituene hulles and wyldernisse: and þerinne hi him caste Þe þundre smot þer anon: and þe liȝtinge wel faste [ 250] Þat bodie flet vp and doun: icast her and þere Mid weder and tempest of water: þat ech man hadde fere Amidde þe water þer stod a roche: þo þe licame was þer neȝ Þe roche clef amidde atuo: as al þat folc iseȝ And as an arewe schet of a bwe: þat bodie schet þerinne [ 255] Þe roche schet to-gadere anon: þo þat bodie was wiþ-inne And þe wrecche bodie þer lyþ: ȝut to þis day Moche wo ȝut þer is þer aboute: as me iseo maie Þus pilatus endede his lyf: as he wel wel worþe was God schulde ech cristenene man: fram so dulful cas. Amen. [ 260]

hic finiuntur gesta. Maledictorum. Iude et Pilati.

[End of the MS. Harl. 2277.]

XXV. A SONG OF MERCI.

(Duplicate of the Vernon MS., Brit. Mus. Additional MS. 22,283, fol. 128, back, col. 2.)

Bi west. vnder a wilde [The Bodleian copy generally has y where the Brit. Mus. one has i,—as in wylde and glyde, line 3,—and ȝt for the Br. Mus. ht; also a final e after the t of rent, tent, hent, ment, l. 6, 7, 9, 11. It has also more capitals for the nouns; and more metrical points, which are printed here.] wode syde. In a launde. þer i. was lent. [ 2] Wlanke deor. on grounde gan glide. And lyouns raunpyng. vppon bente. [ 4] Beores. woluus. with mouþes wide. Þe smale bestes [Beestes.] . þei al to-rent. [ 6] Þer haukes vnto þare [heore.] pray þei hyde. Of whuche. to on. i. toke goode [tok god.] tent. [ 8]

A merlyon. a brid hedde [had.] hent. And in hir [hire.] foot. heo gan hit bringe. [ 10] Hit couþe not speke. but þus hit ment. How merci passeþ alle þinge. [ 12] Merci was in þat. bryddes [Briddes.] Muvnde. But þerof kneuȝ. þe hauk non. [ 14] For in hire foot. he [heo.] gan hit bynde. And heolde hit stille. as eni ston. [ 16] Heo dud after. þe cours of kynde. And fleiȝ in-to a treo anon. [ 18] Þorw kynde. þe brid gan Merci fynde. For on þe morwe. heo let hit gon. [ 20] Ful stille .i. stod. my self al on. To herken. how þat bryd gan synge [ 22] A-wey wol wende. boþe murthe and moon. And Merci passeþ. strengþe and riht. [ 24] Mony a wyse. seo we may. God ordeynet [ordeyned.] Merci. most of miht. [ 26] To beo a-boue. his werkes ay. Whou deore Ihesu. schal beo [be.] diht. [ 28] To demen vs. at domes day. Vr sunne wol beo. so muche in siht. [ 30] We schul not wite. what we schul say. Ful fresliche [fersliche.] . riht wol vs affray. [ 32] And blame vs for. vr mislyuyng. Þen dar non persone [p'se.] . for vs to pray. [ 34] But Merci. passeþ alle þinge [þing.] . ¶ Riht wolde sle vs. for vr sunne [synne.] . Miht wol don. execucion. And rihtwis god. þenne [Rihtwyse god. þen.] wol bigynne. [ 38] Forto [Forte.] reherse vs. þis resoun. I made þe Mon. ȝif þat þou mynne. [ 40] Of feture. liche. myn owne fasoun. And after crepte. in-to þi kynne. [ 42] And for þe suffred passioun.

Of þornes kene. þen was þe croun. [ 44] Ful scharpe. vppon. myn hed standyng. Myn herte [B.M.hert.] blood. ran from me doun. [ 46] And i. forȝaf þe. alle þinge [þing.] . Myn herte [B.M.hert.] blood. for þe gan blede. [ 48] To buye þe. from þe fendes blake [B.M.feondes bolde.] . And i. forȝaf þe. þi mysdede. [ 50] What hast þou suffred. for my sake. Me hungred. þou woldest not me fede. [ 52] Ne neuer my furst. ne woldestou slake. Whon .i. of herborwe. hedde gret nede. [ 54] Þou woldest not. to þin hous me take. Þou seȝe me .a. monge todes blake. [ 56] Ful longe. in harde prisoun lyng. Let seo what vnswere. constou make. [ 58] Where were [Wher weore.] þou kynde. in eny þing. And hou .i. whenched [quenched.] . al þi care. [ 60] Lyft vp þin eȝe [eiȝe.] . and þou maiȝt se. My woundes wete. blodi al bare. [ 62] As i. was rauht [rauȝt.] . on roode tre. Þou seȝe me. for defaute forfare. [ 64] In sekenes. and in pouerte. ȝrt [ȝit.] of þi good. woldestou not spare. [ 66] Ne ones come. to visite me. Al eorþly þinge [þing.] . i. ȝaf to þe. [ 68] Boþe beest and fysche [fisch.] . and foul fleoyng. And tolde þe. hou þat charite. [ 70] And Merci. passeþ alle þing. ¶ Hou myhtou. eny Merci haue. Þat neuer desiredest. non to do. Þou seȝe me naked. and cloþes craue. [The next four lines are from the Bodleian copy, and are not in the Brit. Mus. one.] [ 74] Barehed. and Barefot. gan I. go. On me þou vochedest no þing saue. [ 76]

But beede me wende. þi wones fro. Þou seȝe me ded. aboue to graue. [ 78] ¶ On bere. seuen dayes and mo. For luytel dette. i. ouȝte þe þo. [ 80] Þou forbed. my buryinge [buriȝing.] . Þi Pater noster. seide not so. [ 82] For Merci passeþ. alle þinge. ¶ Þeose are þe werkes of Merci. seuene. Of whuche. crist wol vs areyne. Þat alle schul stoney. wiþ þat steuene. [ 86] Þat euer tresoun. mihte ateyne. For here [heer.] but yf [ȝif.] we make vs euene. [ 88] Þer may no miht. ne ȝiftes ȝeyne. Þen [Þenne.] to þe kyng of heuene. [ 90] Þe bok seiþ. þat we schul seyne. Wher hastou lord. in prisoun leyne. [ 92] Whon were [Whonne weore.] þou. in eorþe dwellyng. Whon seȝe we þe. in suche peyne. [ 94] Whon askedst þou. vs eny þing. ¶ Whon ȝe seȝe. oþer [ouþer.] . blynd. or lame. Þat for my loue. asked ȝou ouȝt. Al þat ȝe duden. in my [myn.] name. [ 98] Hit was to me. boþe dede [deede.] & þouht. But ȝe þat hated. cristendame. [ 100] And of my wraþþe. neuer ne rouht [ȝt for ht.] . ȝour seruise schal. be [ben.] endeles schame. [ 102] Helle fuyr. þat slakes nouht [ȝt for ht.] . And ȝe. þat with my blood .i. bouht [ȝt for ht.] [ 104] Þat loued me. in ȝoure lyuynge. ȝe schul haue. þat ȝe haue souht [ȝt for ht.] . [ 106] Merci þat passeþ alle þinge. ¶ Þis tyme schal tyde. hit is no nay. And wel is hym. þat haþ þat grace. For to plese. his god to pay. [ 110] And Merci secheþ [seche.] . while he haþ space.

For beo vr mouþe. crommed [? quommed.] with [w^t.] clay. [ 112] Wormes blake. wol vs enbrace. Þenne is too late. Mon. in goode fay. [ 114] To seche to amende. of þi trespace. With [w^t.] mekenes þou may. heuene purchase. [ 116] Oþer meede. þar þe non bryng. But knowe þi god. in vche a case. [ 118] And loue hym best. of eny þing. ¶ To god a [and.] mon. were holden meste. To loue. and his wraþþe eschuwe. Now is non. so vnkuynde a beeste. [ 122] Þat lasse doþ. þat weore hym duwe. For beestes and foules. more and leeste. [ 124] Þe cours of kuynde [kynde.] . alle þei suwe. And whon [whonne.] we breken. godes heste. [ 126] Aȝeynes kuynde. we ben vn-trewe. For kuynde wolde. þat we hym knewe. [ 128] And dradde hym moste [most.] . in vre doinge [doing.] . Hit is no riht. þat he vs rewe. [ 130] But Merci passeþ. alle þinge. ¶ Now harlotrie [y for ie.] . for murþe is holde. And vertues turnen [tornen.] . in-to vice. And symonye. haþ chirches solde. [ 134] And lawe is waxen. couetise. Vr feiþ is frele. to flecche and folde. [ 136] For treuþe is put. to luytel prise. Vr [Vre.] god. is glotonye. and golde. [ 138] Dronkenes. lecherie [y for ie.] and dyse. Lo here [heer.] vr lust. and vr [Vre.] likyng. [ 140] ȝet ȝif we wole. repent [repente.] and rise. Merci passeþ. alle þinge. [ 142] ¶ Vnlustily. vr lyf we lede. Monhod and we. twynne in two. [ 144] To heuene ne helle. take we non hede. But on day come. a noþer go. [ 146]

Who is a Maister. now but meede. And pruude. þat wakened al vr wo. [ 148] We stunt noþer [stunte neiþer.] . for schame ne drede. To teren vr god. from top to to. [ 150] For-swere his soule. his hert al-so [herte also.] . And alle þe Membres [menbres.] . þat we con [cun.] mynge. [ 152] Ful harde vengeaunce. wol falle o [on.] þo. But Merci passeþ alle þing [þinge.] . [ 154] ¶ And corteis knihthod. and clergye. Þat wont were vices. to forsake. [ 156] Are now so roted [Rooted.] . in rybaudye. Þat oþer murthes. lust hem not make. [ 158] A wey is gentel. curtesye [gentyl cortesye.] . And lustines. his leue haþ take. [ 160] We loue so slouþe. and harlotrie. We slepe. a [as.] swolle swyn in lake. [ 162] Þer wol no worschupe. with vs wake. Til þat charyte. be made [beo mad.] a kyng. [ 164] And þenne schal. alle vre synnes [þen schal. al vr synne.] slake. And Merci passeþ alle þing. [ 166] ¶ I. Munge no more. of þis to ȝou. Al þauȝ .i. kouþe. yf [ȝif.] þat .i. wolde. [ 168] For ȝe han herde [herd wel.] . whi and hou. Bigon þis tale. þat .i. haue tolde. [ 170] And þis men knowen. wel i.-nouh. For Merlions. feet ben colde. [ 172] Hit is heore [heor.] kuynde. on bank and bouh. A. quik brid. to haue [hauen.] and holde. [ 174] From foot to foot. to flytte [flutte.] and folde. To kepe hire. from clomesyng. [ 176] As i. an hauþorn. gan bi holde. I. sauȝ my self. þe same þing. [ 178] Whon heo hedde holden. so al niht. On morwe heo let hit gon a way. [ 180]

Wheþer genteri [gentrie.] tauȝt hire. so or nouht I. con not telle ȝou. in goode [good.] fay. [ 182] But god. as þu art ful of myȝt. Þouȝ we plese þe. not to pay. [ 184] Graunt vs repentaunce. and respiȝt. And schrift and hosel. or we day. [ 186] As þou art god. and Mon verray. Þou beo vr help. at vr [vre.] endyng. [ 188] Byfore [i for y.] þi face. þat we may [i for y.] say [i for y.] . Now Merci passeþ alle þing [þinge.] . [ 190]

Explicit a songe of Merci.

XXVI. A SONGE OF DEO GRACIAS. [This and the following Songs, I had not time to compare with the Bodleian copy.]

(Duplicate of Vernon MS., Brit. Mus., fol. 129, col. 1.)

In a chirche. þere i. con knel. Þis ender day. in on Morwenynge. [ 2] Me liked þe seruise. wondur wel. For-þi þe lengore. con .i. lynge. [ 4] I seiȝ a clerk a boke forthe brynge. Þat prikked was. in Mony a plas. [ 6] Fast he souht what be schulde synge. And al was. Deo gracias. [ 8] Alle þe queristres in þat qwer. On þat word. fast gon þei cri: [ 10] Þe noyse was goode. and .i. drouȝ neer. And calde a prest ful priuely. [ 12] And seide syre. for ȝor curtesy. Telle me ȝif ȝe haue spas. [ 14] What hit meneþ. and for whi. ȝe singe. Deo gracias. [ 16] ¶ In silke þat comely clerk. was clad. And ouer a lettorne. leoned he. [ 18]

And with his word. he made me glad. And seide sone. i. schal telle þe. [ 20] Fadur and sone. in Trinite. Þe holygost ground of vr graas. [ 22] Also ofte siþe. þonke we. As we sei. Deo gracias. [ 24] ¶ To þonke and blesse hym we be bounde. With alle þe murþes þat mon may mynne. [ 26] For al þe world in wo was wounde. Til þat he crepte. in-to vr kynne. [ 28] A louesum buirde. he lihte with-Inne. Þe worþiest þat euer was. [ 30] And schedde hys blood for vr synne. And þerfore. Deo gracias. [ 32] ¶ Þen seide þe prest. sone bi þi leue. I. most seye forþ my seruise. [ 34] I. prey þe take hit. nouht in greue. For þou hast herd al my deuyse. [ 36] Bi cause whi. hit is clerkes wise. And holichirche. Muynde of hit maas. [ 38] Vn-to þe prince so muche of pride. Forto synge. Deo gracias. [ 40] ¶ Out of þat chirche. i. went my way. And on þat word. was al my þouht. [ 42] And twenti tymes. i. con say. God graunt þat i. forȝete hit nouht. [ 44] Þouȝ .i. were out of bonechef brouht. What help weore to me. to say allas. [ 46] In þe nome of god. what euer be wrouht. I. schal seie. Deo gracias. [ 48] ¶ In myschef and in bonchef boþe. Þat word is goode to say and synge. [ 50] And not to wayle and to be wroþe. Þauȝ al be nouht at vr likynge. [ 52] For langour schal not euer lynge. And sumtyme plesaunce. wol ouerpas. [ 54] But ay in hope of amendynge. I. schal say. Deo gracias. [ 56]

A-Mende þat þu hast done amis. And do wel þenne and haue no drede. [ 58] Wheþer so þou beo. in bale or blis. Þi goode suffraunce. schal gete þe mede. [ 60] ȝif þou þi lyf in likyng lede. Loke þou be kinde in vche a caas. [ 62] Þonke þi god ȝif þou wel spede. With þis word. Deo gracias. [ 64] ¶ ȝif god haþ ȝiue þe vertues mo. Þen he haþ oþer two or þre. [ 66] Þenne i. rede þou rule þe so. Þat Men may speke worschupe bi þe. [ 68] Be ferd of pruyde and bost þou fle. Þi vertues let no fulþe defaas. [ 70] But kepe þe clene corteis and fre. And þenk on. Deo gracias. [ 72] ¶ ȝif þou be made an officer. And art a Mon of Muche miht. [ 74] What cause þou demest. loke hit be cler. And reue no Mon from hym his riht. [ 76] ȝif þou be strong and fers to fiht For envye neuer mon þou chas [ 78] But drede þi god. boþe day and niht. And þenke on. Deo gracias. [ 80] ¶ ȝif we þis word in herte wol haue. And ay in loue and leute leende. [ 82] Of crist bi couenaunt. we mowe craue. Þat ioye þat schal neuer haue ende. [ 84] Out of þis world. when we schul wende. In-to his paleys forto paas. [ 86] And sitte A-Monge his seyntes hende. And þere synge. Deo gracias. [ 88]

Explicit a songe of Deo gracias.

[A songe of '.I. take my leue' follows.]

XXVII. DEUS CARITAS.

(Duplicate of Vernon MS., Brit. Mus., fol. 129, col. 1.)

Deus caritas est. A deore god omnipotent: [ 2] Lord þou madest. boþe foul and best On eorþe to Mon. þou here hit sent. [ 4] I. warne ȝow alle boþe more and leste. Charite .i. rede þat ȝe hent. [ 6] For hit is cristes heste. Þat schal come to þe iugement [ 8] ¶ For whon he comeþ. at domes day Þat al þis world. hit schal wel se. [ 10] Þe wikked he biddeþ to gon heore way. In bittre penaunce for euere to be. [ 12] And to þe goode wol þat lord say ȝe schul alle wende wiþ me. [ 14] In-to þe blysse for euer and ay. Et qui manet in caritate. [ 16] ¶ God þat made boþe heuene and helle. Vr swete lord of Nazareth [ 18] Adam þat was. so fair of felle. For his folyes. he suffred deth. [ 20] In god for soþe. he schal dwelle. In charite ho so geth. [ 22] Hit is soþ. þat .i. ou telle. Bi-holde and seo. In deo manet. [ 24] ¶ Crist was toren vche a lym. And on þe Roode. he was .i.-do. [ 26] Þe fende þat was. so derke and dym. To þe crois he com þo. [ 28] Crist. al Charite is in hym. Þere he ouercome vr fo. [ 30] Charite i. rede þat þou myn. And þenne. Deus est in eo. [ 32] ¶ Let Charite. nou a-wake. And do hit. þer neode is. [ 34]

Heuene forsoþe. þenne maiȝt þou take. And come to þat riche blis. [ 36] Nou crist for his Modur sake. Let vs neuer þis place mys. [ 38] And schilde vs from. þe feondes blake. And sit deus in nobis. [ 40] ¶ And charite .i. rede þat we bygynne. As bifore alle oþer games. [ 42] And schruyue vs clene of vr synne. For so dud petur Ion and Iames. [ 44] And þerfore god. hem dwelled withinne. For þei weore alle. withouten oþer blames. [ 46] Crist let vs heuene wynne. Et nos in ipso maneamus. [ 48] ¶ God þat dwelleþ in gret solas. In heuene þat riche regnyng. [ 50] And for vs þoled gret trespas. Wondur muche at vre muntyng. [ 52] On þe Roode don he was. In gret dispit icleped a kyng. [ 54] Þenkeþ nouþe. on deus caritas. And brynge vs alle to goode endyng. [ 56]

Explicit Deus caritas.

XXVIII. ANOTHER SONGE OF DEO GRACIAS.

(Duplicate of Vernon MS. Brit. Mus. fol. 129, col. 1.)

Mi. word is Deo gracias. In world wheþer me be wel or wo. [ 2] Hou schold. i. lauȝwe or sigge allas. For leeue me wel. hit lasteþ o. [ 4] And þouȝ hit greue. hit wol ouer go. As þouht chaungeþ. for suche is gras. [ 6] Þerfore wheþer me be wel or wo. I. sei not but Deo gratias. [ 8]

¶ Þouȝ .i. be riche of gold so red. And liht to renne as is a ro. [ 10] A noþur is boun to begge his bred. With brestes blak and bleynes blo. [ 12] Whon .i. seo goode depart so. To sum Mon god sent gret solas. [ 14] And sum Mon ay to lyue in wo. Þen sei .i. deo gracias. [ 16] ¶ Þou he be pore. and lyue in peyn. A noþur Mon proudeþ. as doþ a poo. [ 18] Whon murthe is his and mournyng myn. As may bifalle. to me and mo. [ 20] ȝif fortune wolde. be so my fo. From me to turne. hire freoly faas. [ 22] Siþþe god may sende. boþe weole and wo. I. sei not. but deo gracias. [ 24] ¶ A lord of worschupe ȝif .i. ware. And were falle doun. in a wro. [ 26] Sekenesse sitteþ me. so sare. And serwe wol neiȝ. myn hert slo. [ 28] Þus am .i. bounden. from top to to. And i. turment so. for my trespaas. [ 30] ȝit god may loose me. of þat wo. And þenne .i. say. Deo gracias. [ 32] ¶ Whon .i. hedde spendyng. here bifore. Þer wolde no felauschupe. founde me fro. [ 34] But herken and hiȝe. to myn horne. For in myn hond þer stod non ho. [ 36] Nou appeereþ. non of þo. So pouert apayred haþ my plas. [ 38] Ho may haue wele withoute wo. Þerfore .i. sey. Deo gracias. [ 40] ¶ Almyhti corteis crouned kyng. God graunt vs grace to rule vs so. [ 42] Þat we may come to þi wonyng. Þere is weole. withouten wo. [ 44] Milde maide prey þi sone al so. Þat he forȝiue vs. vr trespas. [ 46]

And aftur ward. in-to heuene go. Þere to synge. Deo gracias. [ 48]

Explicit. A noþer songe of Deo gracias.

XXIX. A SONG-KNOWE ÞI SELF.

(Additional MS. 22,283; Brit. Mus. fol. 129, back, col. 1.)

In a Pistel þat Poul wrouht. I. founde hit writen. and seide riht þis. [ 2] Vche cristen creature knowen hym self ouht. His oune vessel. and soþe hit is. [ 4] Nere help of hym. þat vs deore bouht. We were boren to luytel blis. [ 6] Whon alle þi goode dedus. beoþ þorw souȝt. Seche and þou schalt. fynden a-mys. [ 8] Eueri mon schuld. knowen his. And þat is luytel. as .i. trowe. [ 10] To teche vr self. crist vs wis. For vche mon ouȝt hym self to knowe. [ 12] ¶ Knowe þi self. what þou ware. Whon þou were. of þi Moder born. [ 14] Ho was þi moder. þat þe bare. And ho was þi fader. þer biforn. [ 16] Knowè hou þei beoþ. forþe i-fare. So schaltou. þeiȝ þou hedde sworn. [ 18] Knowe þou come hider. wiþ care. Þou nost neuer. ȝif þou bide til morn. [ 20] Hou lihtly. þou maiȝt be forlorn. But þou þi synne schryue and schowe. [ 22] For lond or kiþ. catel or corn. Vche Mon ouȝt hym self to knowe. [ 24] ¶ Knowe þi lyf. hit may not last. But as a blast. blouh out þi breth. [ 26] Tote and by a noþur mon tast. Riht as a gleirtand glem. hit geth. [ 28]

What is al. þat forþ is past. Hit fareþ as fuir of heth. [ 30] Þis worldes goode. a way wol hast. For synnes seekenes. þi soule sleþ. [ 32] And þat is. a ful deolful deþ. Go, saue þi soule and þou be slowe. [ 34] With þi Maistrie. medel þi meþ. For vche mon ouȝt. hym self to knowe. [ 36] ¶ ȝif þou þi self. knowe con. Sitte doun. and take countures rounde. [ 38] Siþþe furst. þou monnes wit bigon. Hou ofte synne. þe haþ ibounde. [ 40] And for vehe a synne. lay þou doun on. Til þou þi synnes. haue souȝt vp. and founde. [ 42] Counte. þi goode dedes eurichon. A-bide þere a while. and stunt a stounde. [ 44] And ȝif þou fele þe syker and sounde. Þenke on þi god. as þe wel owe. [ 46] And ȝif þou art. in synne ibounde. Amende þe. and þi self knowe. [ 48] Knowe what god. haþ for þe do. Made þe aftur. his oune liknes. [ 50] Seiþe he come. from heuene also. And diȝed for þe. in gret distres. [ 52] For þe he suffred. boþe pyne and wo. Knowe þou hym. and alle his. [ 54] Whoso greueþ hym. is worþi to go. To helle fuyr. but he hit redres. [ 56] And he beo demed. be rihtwisnes. But his grace is. so wide isowe. [ 58] From his wraþe .i. rede vs bles. For vche mon ouȝt. hym self to knowe. [ 60] ¶ Knowe þi self. þat þou schalt dye. But what tyme þou nost neuer ne whenne. [ 62] With an twynklyng of an eiȝe. Eueriday þou hiȝest þe henne. [ 64] Þi flesche foode. þe wormes wol fye. Vche cristen mon. ouȝt þis to kenne. [ 66]

Loke aboute. and wel aspye. Þis world doþ but bitraye menne. [ 68] And be war of þe fuir. þat euer schal brenne. And þenk þou regnest here. but a þrowe. [ 70] Heuene blisse. þou schat haue þenne. For vche mon ouȝt. hym self to knowe. [ 72] ¶ Knowe þi flesche. þat wol rote. For certes þou maiȝt not longe endure. [ 74] And nedes die. hennes þou mote. Þauȝ þou haue kyngdam and empyre. [ 76] And sone þou schalt. be forgote. So schal souereyn, so schal syre. [ 78] Hoso leeueþ not þis .i. trowe he dote. For eueri mok. most in-to myre. [ 80] Preye we to god. vr soules enspire. Or we bene logged. in eorþe lowe. [ 82] Heuene to haue. to vr huire. For vche mon ouȝt him self to knowe. [ 84] ¶ Knowe þi kuynde Creatoure. Knowe what he. for þe dide. [ 86] Knowe þis worldly. honoure. Hou sone þat hit is forþ islyde. [ 88] Ende of ioye. is her doloure. Strengþe stont vs in no stide. [ 90] But longyng. and beoing in laboure. Vr bost vr brag. is sone ouerbide. [ 92] Arthur. and Ector. þat we dredde. Dethe [[MS. Aethe]] haþ leide hem. wonderly lowe. [ 94] Amende þe mon. euene forþ mydde. For vchemon ouȝte. hym self to knowe. [ 96] ¶ Þi Concience schal þe saue and deme. Wheþer þat þou. be ille or good. [ 98] Grope aboute and take good ȝeme. Þer maiȝt þou wite. but þou be wood. [ 100] Þer schalt þou þe same seone. Aske Merci. wiþ mylde mood. [ 102] Amende þe. þou wot what .i. mene. Vche creature þat bereþ. bon and blood. [ 104]

Prey we to god þat died on Roode. Ar vr brethe beo. out i. blowe. [ 106] Þat cristes face. may bene vr foode. For vche mon ouȝt. hym self to knowe. [ 108]

Explicit. A song knowe þi self.

XXX. A SONG OF YESTERDAY.

(Additional MS. 22,283; Brit. Mus. fol. 129, back, col. 3.)

Whon men beoþ muriest. at heor mele. With mete and drink. to maken hem glade. [ 2] With worschipe. and with worldliche wele. Þei bene so sette. þei conne not sade. [ 4] Þei haue no deynte forto dele. With þinges þat bene deuotly made. [ 6] Þei wene heore honoure and heore hele. Schal euer last and neuer diffade. [ 8] But in heore hertes. i. wolde þei hade. Whon þei gon ricchest men aray. [ 10] Hou sone þat god hem may degrade. And sum tyme þenke on ȝusturday. [ 12] ¶ Þis day as leef. we may be liht. With alle þe murþes þat men may vise. [ 14] To Reuele with þise buyrdes briht. Vche mon gayest on his gise. [ 16] At þe last. hit draweþ to niht. Þat slepe most make. his maistrise. [ 18] Whon þat he haþ kud his miht. Þe morwe he buskeþ vp to rise. [ 20] Þenne alle draweþ hem to fantasie. Wher he is bicomen con no mon say. [ 22] And ȝif heo wuste. þei were ful wise. For al is turned to ȝusterday. [ 24] ¶ Whoso wolde þenke. vppon þis. Miht fynde a goode enchesun whi. [ 26]

To preue þis world. al wey i-wis. Hit nis but fantum. and feiri. [ 28] Þis eorþeli ioie þis worldly blis. Is but a fykel fantasy. [ 30] For nou hit is. and nou hit nis. Þer may no mon þerinne affy. [ 32] Hit schaungeþ so oft and so sodeynly. To day is here. to morwe a way. [ 34] A syker ground who wol him gy. I. rede he þenke on ȝusterday. [ 36] ¶ For þer nis non. so strong in stour. Fro tyme þat he. ful waxen be. [ 38] From þat day forþ. eueriche an hour. Of his strengþe he leost a quantite. [ 40] Ne no buyrde so briht in boure. Of þritti wyntur. i. enseure þe. [ 42] Þat heo ne schal fade as a flour. Luyte. and luyte. leosen hir beute. [ 44] Þe soþe ȝe may. ȝor self ise. Beo ȝor eldres. in goode fay. [ 46] Whon ȝe bene grettest in ȝour degre. I. rede ȝe þenke on ȝusturday. [ 48] ¶ Nis non so fresch. on fote to fare. Ne non so feir. on folde to fynde. [ 50] Þat þei ne schal on bere. be brouȝt ful bare. Þis wrecched world nis but a wynde. [ 52] Ne non so styf. to stunt ne stare. Ne non so bold. Beores to bynde. [ 54] Þat he naþ warnynges to be ware. For god is so corteis and so kynde. [ 56] Biholde þe lame. þe bedrede. þe blynde. Þat bit ȝou be war. whil þat ȝe may. [ 58] Þei make a Mirour. to ȝor mynde. To seo þe schap. of ȝusterday. [ 60] ¶ Þe lyf þat eny mon schal lede. Beþ certeyn dayes atte last. [ 62] Þen most vr terme. schort nede. Be o day comen. a noþur is past. [ 64]

Here-of and we wolde. take good hede. And in vr hertes acountes cast. [ 66] Day bi day. withoute drede. To-ward vr ende. we drawe ful fast. [ 68] Þenne schal vr bodies in eorþe be þrast. Vr Careyns chaunged. vndur clay. [ 70] Here of we ouȝte be sore agast. And we wolde þenke on ȝusterday. [ 72] ¶ Salomon seide in his poysi. He holdeþ wel bettre. with an hounde. [ 74] Þat is likyng. and Ioly. And of sekenesse. hol and sounde. [ 76] Þen be a leon. þouȝ he ly. Cold. and ded. vppon þe grounde. [ 78] Wher of serueþ. his victori. Þat was so styf. in vche a stounde. [ 80] Þe most fool. i. herde respounde. Is wysore. whil he lyue may. [ 82] Þen he þat hedde. a þousond pounde. And was buried. ȝusterday. [ 84] ¶ Socrates seiþ. a word ful wys. Hit were wel bettre forto se. [ 86] A mon þat nou parteþ. and dis. Þen a fest. of Rialte. [ 88] Þe fest wol make. his flesche to ris. And drawe his herte. to vanite. [ 90] Þe body þat on þe bere lis. Scheweþ þe same þat we schal be. [ 92] Þat ferful fit. may no mon fle. Ne with no whiles. wynne hit a way. [ 94] Þerfore among al Iolyte. Sumtyme þenke on ȝusterday. [ 96] ¶ But ȝit me meruayles. ouer al. Þat god let monymon croke and elde. [ 98] Whon miht and strengþe is from hem fal. Þat þei may not. hem self awelde. [ 100] And now þise beggers most principal. Þat good ne profit. may non ȝelde. [ 102]

To þi purpos vnswere. i. schal. Whi god sent suche men. boote and belde. [ 104] Crist þat made boþe flour and felde. Let suche men lyue. forsoþe to say. [ 106] Whon a ȝonge mon. on hem bihelde. Scholde seo þe schap. of ȝusterday. [ 108] ¶ A noþur skil. þer is for whi. Þat god let suche men lyue so longe. [ 110] For þei beoþ triacle. and remedi. For synful men. þat han don wronge. [ 112] In hem. þe seuen dedes of Merci. A Mon may. fulfille amonge. [ 114] And also þis proude men may þerbi. A feir Mirour vndurfonge. [ 116] For þer nis non. so stif ne stronge. Ne no lady. stout ne gay. [ 118] Biholde what ouer hor hed con honge. And sumtyme þenke on ȝusterday. [ 120] ¶ I. haue wust. sin. i. couþe meen. Þat children haþ. bi candel liht. [ 122] Heore schadewe on þe walle isen. And ronne þer aftur. al þe niht. [ 124] Bisi aboute. þei han ben. To cacchen hit with al heore miht. [ 126] And whon þei cacchen hit. best wold wen. Sannest hit schet out. of heore siht. [ 128] Þe schadewe cacchen. þei ne myht. For no lynes. þat þei couþe lay. [ 130] Þis schadewe. i. may likne a riht. To þis world. and ȝusterday. [ 132] ¶ In-to þis world. whon we beþ brouȝt. We schul be tempted. to couetyse. [ 134] And al þi wit. schal be þorw souȝt. To more good. þen þou may suffise. [ 136] Whon þou þenkest best. in þi þouht. On richesse. forte regne and rise. [ 138] Al þi trauayle. turneþ to nouȝt. For sodeynly on deþ þou dyese. [ 140]

Þi lyf þou hast ilad with lyȝes. So þis world. gon þe bitray. [ 142] Þerfore. i. rede þou þis dispise. And sumtyme þenke on ȝusterday. [ 144] ¶ Mon, ȝif þi neiȝebor þe manas. Oþur to culle. oþur to bete. [ 146] I. knowe me syker in þe cas. Þat þou wold drede. þi neiȝebores þrete. [ 148] And neuer a day þi dore to pas. Withoute syker. defense and grete. [ 150] And ben purueyed. in vche a plas. Of sykernes. and helpe to gete. [ 152] Þin enemy woltou. not forȝete. But ay be aferd. of his affray. [ 154] Ensaumple here of. i. wol ȝou trete. To make ȝou þenke. on ȝusterday. [ 156] ¶ Wel þou wost. withouten fayle. Þat deþ haþ manast þe to die. [ 158] But whon þat he wol þe assayle. Þat wost þou not. ne neuer may spye. [ 160] ȝif þou wost don bi my counsayle. Wiþ syker defence. be ay redie. [ 162] For siker defence. in þis batayle. Is clene lyf parfit and tyre. [ 164] Put þi trust. in godus Mercie. Hit is þe best. at al assay. [ 166] And euer among. þou þe ennuye. [[? enmiye]] In-to þis world. and ȝusterday. [ 168] ¶ Sum men seiþ þat deþ is a þef. And al vnwarned. wol on hym stele. [ 170] And. i. say nay. and make a pref. Þat deþ is studefast trewe and lele. [ 172] And warneþ vche mon. of his gref. Þat he wol o day. with hym dele. [ 174] Þe lyf þat is. to ȝou so leof. He wol ȝou reue. and eke ȝor hele. [ 176] Þis poyntes. may no mon hym repele. He comeþ so baldely. to pike his pray. [ 178]

Whon men beoþ murgest. at heor mele. I. rede ȝe þenke on ȝusterday. [ 180]

Explicit. A song. of ȝusterday.

XXXI. WHY I CAN'T BE A NUN.

(Bibl. Cotton, Vesp. D.IX, fol. 179.)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And whan they had resceyvede her charge, They spared nether mud ne myer, [ 2] But roden over Inglonde brode and large, To seke owte nunryes in euery schyre: [ 4] Her hertys were alwey on her hyre, And that scheude they wel in her workyng, [ 6] For they were as ferfent as ony fyre To excecute her lordys byddyng. [ 8] And schortly to sey, no man abode That on thys erand schulde be sent. [ 10] In-to dyuers schyres dyuers men rode, And one of hem be-gan in kent. [ 12] They token her leue and forthe they went; And to eche of hem was ȝeven grete hyre, [ 14] And there fore they were so feruent To seke owte nunryes in euery schyre. [ 16] But the townes names I ouyr pas, For and I schulde telle alle in fere, [ 18] Hyt were a long tale for to here. But on a boke I dare well swere, [ 20] In gode feythe and on womanhode, None was forȝete, fer ne nere, [ 22] Thorowȝ ynglond long and brode. [B]ut when they were com home aȝene [ 24] That roden owte message to bere, Than my fader was fulle fayne [ 26] And callede hem to hym alle in fere

And seyde, "how sped ȝe there ȝe were, [ 28] How faren the nunnes that ȝe cam tylle?" "Welle, syr," quod they, "and made vs gode chere, [ 30] And yowre desyre they wolle fulfylle." "I thanke hem seres Iwys," quod he, [ 32] "Now am I glade, so god me spede:" And than my fader loked on me, [ 34] "Dameselle," quod he, "now take gode hede, For yowre entent god do yow mede, [ 36] ȝe seyde ȝe wolde be a nune But ȝe may not fulfylle in dede [ 38] The purpose that ȝe haue be-gun." "Fader, quod I, and sore I wept, [ 40] Wolle ȝe me here wythe wordys few; I trow my wylle schalle be accept [ 42] Before owre souereyne lorde ihesu, And to him I am, and wolle be, trew [ 44] Wythe alle my wylle and obcervaunce, And I wolle not chonge hym for no new, [ 46] For I loue hym wythe owten variaunce; And trewly me repenteth fulle sore [ 48] That my wylle my not be had." Than my fader lowȝ and seyde no more, [ 50] But went his way and was fulle glade; But than morned I, and was ryȝt sad, [ 52] And in my hert I was fulle wo: 'Alas', I thowȝt, 'my chawnce ys bad, [ 54] I trow that fortune be my fo.' Than hyt befell in a mornyng of may, [ 56] In the same ȝere as I seyde be-fore, My pencyfnes wolde not a-way [ 58] But euer waxed more and more, I walked a-lone and wepte sore [ 60] Wythe syhyngys and mornyng chere, I seyde but lytylle and thowȝt the more, [ 62] For what I thowȝt no man myȝt here, And in a gardyne I sportyd me [ 64] Euery day at dyuers howres,

To beholde and for to see [ 66] The swete effecte of aprelle flowres, The fayre herbys and gentyl flowrys [ 68] And birde syngyng on euery spray, But my longyng and my dolowrys [ 70] For alle thys sport wolde not away. The byrdys sate on the bowes grene [ 72] And syngyng fulle meryly & made gode chere Her federys were fulle fayre and schene [ 74] And alle they maden mery in her manere. Than went I in-to a fayre herbere, [ 76] And set me on my kneys allone, To god I made my prayowre, [ 78] And on thys wyse I made my mone— "Lorde god that alle vertu hast [ 80] And haddyst wythe-owten begynnyng, Kepe me that I may lyue chaste [ 82] For the corupcion of synnyng; For thowȝ my fadyr and alle my kyn [ 84] For-sake me thus in necessite, ȝyt I hope suche grace to wyn [ 86] That owre lord ihesu wolle resceyue me. Souereyne lord omnipotent, [ 88] Now be my comfort, swete Ihesu. Before the alle thyng ys present, [ 90] Alle that evyr was, and alle þat ys, Alle that schalle be aftyr thys, [ 92] Thow knowest alle thyng bothe most and lest. Now ihesu kyng of hevyn blys, [ 94] Wysse me thy seruant what ys best, For now I am alle desolate, [ 96] And of gode cownesayle destitute. Lord to my mornyng be mediate, [ 98] For thow are oonly my refute, To the for comfort I make my sute [ 100] To haue that ioy that lastythe ay, For her loue that bare that frute, [ 102] Swete ihesu, miserere mei!

I can no more, but trust in the [ 104] In whom ys alle wysdom an wyt; And thow wost what ys best for me, [ 106] For alle thyng in thy syȝt ys pyt. Loo here I thyne hand-mayde syt [ 108] Dyspysede and in poynte to spylle; My cawse to the, lorde, I commytte; [ 110] Now do to me aftyr thy wylle." And at that worde for-feynte I fylle [ 112] Among the herbes fresche and fyne; Vn-to a benche of camomylle [ 114] My wofulle hede I dyd inclyne, And so I lay in fulle grete pyne, [ 116] And cowde not cese but alwey wepe, And sore I syȝhed many a tyme [ 118] And prayed my lorde he wolde me kepe. And at the last a sclepe was Ibrowȝt [ 120] And alle a-lone in this gardyne. And than com a fayre lady, as me thowȝt, [ 122] And called me by name 'kateryne', And seyde "a-wake, dowȝtyr myne, [ 124] And to my talkyng take entent; To bryng thyne hert owte of pyne, [ 126] And to comfort the, now haue I ment. Kateryne", sche sayde, "loke vp and haue" [ 128] And than I behelde welle her fygure,— I pray to god in hevyn her saue,— [ 130] For hyt was the most godely creature That euer I saw, I yow ensuer, [ 132] As I wolle telle yow or I go, For I behelde welle her feture, [ 134] Her bewte, and her clothyng also, And me thowȝt I was as wakyng tho; [ 136] And I behelde that lady so That I forgate alle my mornyng, [ 138] For hyt was to me a wondyr thyng That lady to beholden and see, [ 140]

Sche was so fayre wythe-owten lesyng Bothe of clothyng and of bewte, [ 142] Thys that was so godely arrayed. Sche comfortythe me in dyuers wyse, [ 144] And spake to me in dyuers wyse, And bad me anone I schulde aryse. [ 146] And me thowȝt I rose and knelyd thryes, And seyde to her wythe grete reuerence, [ 148] "What ys yowr name, dame empryse?" Sche seyde "my name ys experience; [ 150] And, dowȝter, my techyng may not fayle; For what so I teche, hyt ys fulle trew, [ 152] And now at thys tyme for thyne avayle I am com hedyr on the to rew; [ 154] And wythe the help of cryste ihesu I hope hyt schalle be for the best, [ 156] For suche thynges as I schalle the sche, I tro hyt schalle set thyne hert in rest." [ 158] "Thanke yow, lady," quod I than, "And there-of hertely I yow pray; [ 160] And I, as lowly as I can, Wolle do yow servyse nyȝt and day; [ 162] And what ȝe byd me do or say To yow I promyt obedyence, [ 164] And bryng me owte of thys carefulle way, My gode dere lady experience." [ 166] Than me thowȝt sche toke me by the honde As I knelyd vp-on my kne [ 168] And vp a-none sche bad me ryse, And on thys wyse seyde to me, [ 170] "Kateryne, thys day schalt thow see And howse of wommen reguler, [ 172] And diligent loke that thow be, And note ryȝt welle what þow seest there." [ 174] Than me thouȝt sche led me forthe a pace Thorowȝ a medow fayre and grene, [ 176] And sone sche browȝt me to a place, In erthe ys none so fayre I wene, [ 178]

Of ryalle byldyng so I mene, Hyt schyned wythe-owte so fayre and clere, [ 180] But syn had made hyt fulle vnclene Wythe-in, as ȝe schalle aftyr here. [ 182] "What place ys thys þat stondythe hyre", Quod I to hyre þat dyd me lyde. [ 184] "Kateryne, sche sayd, we wyl go nere, And what you seyst, take good hede." [ 186] Than at the ȝates in we ȝede, Boldly as thowȝ we had be at home, [ 188] And I thowȝt, 'now cryst vs spede'. Than to the cloyster sone we com, [ 190] For hyt was a howse of nunes in trewthe, Of dyuers orderys bothe old and yong, [ 192] But not welle gouernede, and þat was rowthe, Aftyr the rewle of sad levyng. [ 194] For where that selfe-wylle ys reygnyng, The whyche causethe dyscord and debate, [ 196] And resun hathe none enteryng, That howse may not be fortunate. [ 198] For arystotelle, who so redythe In the fyrst boke of hys moralite, [ 200] Playnely sayethe that euery man nedethe To be ware of the vnresonabylite [ 202] That comethe of the sensualite, And not hys bestely condiciones sewe, [ 204] But let resun haue the soueraynte, And so he schalle purches vertu.' [ 206] But what in that place I saw That to religion schulde not long, [ 208] Peraventure ȝe wolde desyre to know, And who was dwellyng hem a-mong. [ 210] Sum what schalle I telle yow wyth tong, And sum what cownseyle kepe I schalle, [ 212] And so I was tawȝt whan I was yong, To here and se, and sey not alle. [ 214] But there was a lady, that hyȝ dame pride; In grete reputacion they her toke [ 216]

And pore dame mekenes sate be syde, To her vnnethys ony wolde loke, [ 218] But alle as who seythe I her forsoke, And set not by her nether most ne lest; [ 220] Dame ypocryte loke vp-on a boke And bete her selfe vp on the brest. [ 222] On euery syde than lokede vp I, And fast I cast myne ye a-bowte; [ 224] Yf I cowde se be-holde or a-spy, I wolde haue sene dame devowte. [ 226] And sche was but wythe few of that rowȝt; For dame sclowthe and dame veyne glory [ 228] By vyolens had put her owte; And than in my hert I was fulle sory. [ 230] But dame envy was there dwellyng The whyche can sethe stryfe in euery state. [ 232] And a nother lady was there wonnyng That hyȝt dame loue vn-ordynate, [ 234] In that place bothe erly and late Dame lust, dame wantowne, and dame nyce, [ 236] They ware so there enhabyted, I wate, That few token hede to goddys servyse. [ 238] Dame chastyte, I dare welle say, In that couent had lytylle chere, [ 240] But oft in poynte to go her way, Sche was so lytelle beloved there; [ 242] But sum her loved in hert fulle dere, And there weren that dyd not so, [ 244] And sum set no thyng by her, But ȝafe her gode leue for to go. [ 246] And at that place I saw muche more, But alle I thenk not to dyscrye, [ 248] But I wolle sey as I seyde be-fore. And yt ys a poynte of curtesy; [ 250] For whoso chateryt lyke a py And tellethe alle that he herethe and seethe, [ 252] He schalle be put owte of company, And scho the gose, thus wysdum vs lerethe. [ 254]

And in that place fulle besyly I walked whyle I myȝt enduer, [ 256] And saw how dame enevy In euery corner had grete cure; [ 258] Sche bare the keyes of many a dore. And than experience to me came, [ 260] And seyde, kateryne, I the ensuer, Thys lady ys but seldom fro home. [ 262] Than dame pacience and dame charyte In that nunry fulle sore I sowȝt; [ 264] I wolde fayne haue wyst where they had be, For in that couent were they nowȝt; [ 266] But an owte chamber for hem was wrowȝt, And there they dweldyn wyth-owtyn stryfe, [ 268] And many gode women to them sowȝt And were fulle wyfulle of her lyfe, [ 270] Also a-nother lady there was That hyȝt dame dysobedyent [ 272] And sche set nowȝt by her priores. And than me thowȝt alle was schent, [ 274] For sugettys schulde evyr be dylygent Bothe in worde, in wylle, and dede, [ 276] To plese her souereynes wyth gode entent, And hem obey, ellys god forbede. [ 278] And of alle the defawtes that I cowde se Thorowȝ schewyng of experience, [ 280] Hyt was one of the most that grevyd me, The wantyng of obedyence. [ 282] For hyt schulde be chese in consciens, Alle relygius rule wytnesseth the same, [ 284] And when I saw her in no reverence, I myȝt no lenger abyde for schame, [ 286] For they setten not by obedyence. And than for wo myne hert gan blede, [ 288] Ne they hadden her in no reuerence, But few or none to her toke hede. [ 290] And than I sped me thens a grete spede, That couent was so fulle of syn; [ 292]

And than experience dyd me lede Owte at the ȝates there we com In. [ 294] And when we were both wyth-owte, Vp on the gras we setten vs downe, [ 296] And then we he-helde the place abowte, And there we talkeden as vs lest. [ 298] And than I prayed experience for to haue wyst Why sche schewed me thys nunery, [ 300] Sche seyde "now we bene here in rest, I thenk for to tellen the why. [ 302] Thy fyrst desyre and thyne entent Was to bene a nune professede, [ 304] And for thy fader wolde not consent, Thyne hert wyth mornyng was sore oppressede, [ 306] And thow wyst not what to do was best; And I seyde, I wolde cese thy grevawnce, [ 308] And now for the most part in euery cost I haue schewed the nunnes gouernawnce. [ 310] For as thow seest wyth-in yonder walle Suche bene the nunnes in euery warde, [ 312] As for the most part, I say not alle, God forbede, for than hyt were harde, [ 314] For sum bene devowte, holy, and towarde, And holden the ryȝt way to blysse; [ 316] And sum bene feble, lewde, and frowarde, Now god amend that ys amys! [ 318] And now kateryne, I haue alle do For thy comfort that longeth to me, [ 320] And now let vs aryse and go Vn-to the herber there I com to the." [ 322] Than in thys herber sche let be me. I thanked her wyth grete reuerence, [ 324] I pray to god I-blessyd be sche, Thys fayre lady experience. [ 326] And whan sche was gone, I wakede anone. And I thowȝ how I may gouerned be, [ 328] For nun wold I neuere be none, For suche defawtes that I haue see. [ 330]

But ȝyf they myȝt amendyd be, And forsake her syn both day and nyȝt, [ 332] God ȝyf me grace that day to se, And ellys hyt wolle not be a ryȝt. [ 334] But here perauenture sum man wolde say, And to hys conceyte so hyt schulde seme, [ 336] That I forsoke sone a perfyte way For a fantesy or for a dreme. [ 338] For dreme was hyt none, ne fantasye, Hyt was vn-to me a gratius mene, [ 340]

[A piece of the MS. containing the whole of the first 4 lines, and part of the next four, is torn off here.]

That . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holy wryt w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 342] Pleynely go rede hyt wh . . . And hyt ys wretyn in Genesye, [ 344] In the fowre and thyrty Chapytylle, How dyna, for sche bode not stylle [ 346] But went owte to see thynges in veyne, Sche was defowled a-ȝenst her wylle, [ 348] And there-fore thowsandys of peple were sclayn. Yowre barbe, your wymppylle and your vayle, [ 350] Yowre mantelle and yowre devowte clothyng, Maketh men wyth-owten fayle [ 352] To wene ȝe be holy in levyng. And so hyt ys an holy thyng [ 354] To bene in habyte reguler; Than, as by owtewarde aray in semyng, [ 356] Beth so wyth-in my ladyes dere. A fayre garlond of yve grene [ 358] Whyche hangeth at a taverne dore, Hyt ys a false token as I wene, [ 360] But yf there be wyne gode and sewer; Ryȝt so but ȝe your vyces for-bere, [ 362] And let alle lewde custom be broken, So god me spede, I yow ensewer [ 364] Ellys yowre habyte ys no trew token . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hyng [ 366]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 368] . . . . . yng . . . nde gode levyng, . . yf they be wyth-in the contrary, [ 370] In holy schrypture wyth-owte lesyng They bene called the chyldryn of false ypocrasy. [ 372] Now, ladyes, taketh gode hede to thys exhortacion That I haue tawȝt yow in thys lore, [ 374] And beholde the gode conuersacion Of gode women here be-fore, [ 376] Fulle holy vyrgynes many a store, The whyche levedyn here relygyiusly, [ 378] And now in ioy and blysse therefore They haue possession enlesly,— [ 380] Seynte clare and seynte edyth also, Seynte scolastica and seynte Brigytte, [ 382] That weren [MS. wereren.] professed in nunnes habyte. [ 384] They fulle besy were wyth alle her wytte To be ware of syn, and fle there froo, [ 386] And now for evyr they bene qwyte From alle maner sorow and woo,— [ 388] Seynte audre, seynte freswyth, & seynte Emerlde (?) Seynte wythbuge & seynte Myldrede, [ 390] Seynte sexburge & seynte Ermenylde,— Of alle these holy women we rede. [ 392]

[? Incomplete.]

XXXII. OLD AGE.

(Harl. 913, p. 54 back; printed Rel. Ant. II., p. 210.)

1.

Elde makiþ me geld. an [The ands are written a'.] growen al grai. when eld me wol feld. nykkest [MS. blotched.] þer no nai. eld nul meld. no murþes of mai when eld me wold aweld. mi wele is a wai

eld wold keld. an cling so the clai. wiþ eld I mot held. an hien to mi dai.

2.

When eld blowid he is blode. his ble is sone abatid. al we wilniþ to ben old. wy is eld ihatid. moch me anueþ. þat mi dribil druiþ. and mi wrot wet. eld me awarpeþ. þat mi schuldern scharpiþ. and ȝouþe me haþ let.

3.

Ihc ne mai no more	þoȝ mi wil wold ȝete:
grope vnder gore
y-ȝoket ic am of ȝore	an sunne me haþ bi-set.
wiþ last an luþer lore

4

iset ic am wiþ sunne	non murþis wiþ muþe:
þat i ne mai noȝt munne
eld me haþ amarrid	þat trusteþ to ȝuþe.
ic wene he he bi-charred

5.

Al þus eld me for-dede	an drawiþ ham on rewe.
þus he toggiþ vte mi ded
Y ne mai more of loue done	vch schenlon [puer.] me bischrew.
mi pilkoc pisseþ on mi schone

6.

Mine hed is hore & al for-fare	Mi bodi wexit lewe [debile.]
i-hewid as a grei mare
when i bi-hold on mi schennen	Mi frendis waxiþ fewe.
m'in dimmiþ al for-dwynnen

7.

Now i pirtle i pofte. i poute.	þroȝ kund i comble an kelde
i snurpe i snobbe i sneipe on snovte.
i lench i len on lyme i lasse	as galliþ gome i-geld.
i poke i pomple i palle i passe

8.

i riuele i roxle i rake i rouwe	þus he wol me a-weld:
i clyng i cluche i croke i couwe
i grunt i grone i grenne i gruche	an al þis wilneþ eld.
i nese i nappe i nifle i nuche

9.

i stunt i stomere i stomble as sledde.	Such sond is me sent:
i blind i bleri i bert in bedde.
i spitte i spatle in speche i sporne	þus is mi wel iwent.
i werne i lutle þerfor i murne

10.

i spend an marrit is mi main	as falc i falow an felde:
an wold wil ȝuþe a-ȝayn

i was heordmon nov am holle	such willing is after elde.
al folk of me beþ wel folle

11.

eld me haþ so hard ihent	arerid ig of rote:
seo wouw spakliy [The Rel. Ant. reads 'spakky', but the true word is evidently 'spakly' = quickly or certainly. H. C.] he me spent
vch toþ fram oþer is trent.
þe tunge wlaseþ wend þerwiþ	he fint me vnder fote.
lostles lowteþ in uch a liþ
i mot be þat eld beþ Amen

XXXIII. EARTH.

(Harl. 913, p. 62; Rel. Ant. II, p. 216.)

1.

Whan erþ haþ erþ iwonne wiþ wow þan erþ mai of erþ him hir inow erþ vp erþ falliþ fol frow [Glossed 'festine'.] erþ toward erþ delful him drow. Of erþ þou were makid. and mon þou art ilich: in on erþ awaked þe pore and þe riche

2.

Terram per inuri	am	cum terra lucr	atur
tunc de terra copi	terra sorci
terra super are	am	subito frustr	atur
se traxit ad arid	terraque trist
De terra plasmaris	es	simile virr	oni
vna terra pauper	ac dites sunt pr

3.

Erþ geþ on erþ. wrikkend in weden. erþ toward erþ. wormes to feden erþ beriþ to erþ. al is lif deden when erþ is in erþe. heo muntid [metitur.] þi meden. When erþ is in erþe. þe rof is on þe chynne. þan schullen an hundred wormes. wroten on þe skin.

4.

Vesta pergit uesti	bus	super vestem v [vare, to deck it out with var, fur. Bond.]	are
artatur et uermi	vesta pastum d

ac cum gestis omni	bus	ad uestam migr	are
cum uesta sit scrobi	quis vult suspir
Cum sit uesta ponit	a	doma tangit m	entum
tunc in cute candid	verrunt [Glossed 'trahunt'.] uermes c

5.

Erþ askiþ erþ. and erþ hir answerid whi erþ hatid erþ. and erþ erþ verrid erþ haþ erþ. and erþ erþ teriþ erþ geeþ on erþ. and erþ erþ berriþ. Of erþ þow were bi-gun. on erþ þou schalt end al þat þou in erþ wonne. to erþ schal hit wend

6.

Humus humum repet	it	et responsum d	atur
humum quare neglig	et humo fru
humus humum porrig	sic et oper
super humum perag	humo que port
humo sic incip	eris	ac humo me	abis
quod humo quesi	humo totum d

7.

Erþ get hit on erþ. maistrie and miȝte: al we beþ erþ. to erþ we beþ idiȝte. erþ askeþ carayne. of king and of kniȝt. whan erþ is in erþ. so lowȝ he be liȝt. Whan þi riȝt and þi wowȝ. wendiþ þe bi-for: be þou þre niȝt in a þrouȝ. þi frendschip is ilor.

8.

Terra vincit braui	vm	terra collucr	atur.
totus cetus homin	de terra portr
ops cadauer milit	que regis scrut
cum detur in tumul	mox terra vor
Cum ius et iustici	vm	coram te migr	abunt.
pauci per trinocti	mortem deplor

9.

Erþ is a palfrei. to king and to quene erþ is ar lang wei. þouw we lutil wene þat weriþ grouer and groy. and schrud so schene whan erþ makiþ is liuerei. he grauiþ vs in grene. Whan erþ haþ erþ wiþ streinþ þus geten. alast he haþ is leinþ. miseislich i-meten.

10.

Dic uestam [est tam.] dextrar	ium	regique regi	ne
iter longum mar	quod est sine fi

indumentum uar	ium.	dans cedit scuti	ne
omne dat corrod	nos tradit rui
Cum per fortitudi	nem	tenet hanc lucra	tam
capit longitudi	misere meta

11.

Erþ gette on erþ. gersom and gold erþ is þi moder. in erþ is þi mold erþ uppon erþ. be þi soule hold er erþe go to erþe. bild þi long bold Erþ bild castles. and erþe bilt toures. whan erþ is on erþe. blak beþ þe boures.

12.

Humus querit plurim	a	super humum bo	na.
humus est mater tu	in quam sumas dor
anime sis famul	super humum pro
domum dei perpetr	mundo cum coro
Ops turres edific	at	ac castra de pe	tra.
quin [or quando.] fatum capi	penora sunt te

13.

Þenk man in lond. on þi last ende whar-of þou com. and whoder schaltou wend. make þe wel at on. wiþ him þat is so hend. and dred þe of þe dome. lest sin þe schend. For he is king of blis. and mon of moche mede þat deliþ þe dai fram niȝt. and leuiþ lif and dede.

14.

De fine nouissim	o	mauors medite	ris
huc quo veneris uic	dic quo gradie
miti prudentissim	concordare de
hesites iudic	ne noxa dampne
Quia rex est glori	e	dans mensura rest	at. Amen.
mutat noctem de di	vitam mortem prest

XXXIV. "OF MEN LIF þAT WONIþ IN LOND'

A Satire on the Monks and People of Kildare. (Harl. MS. 913, p. 7.) [Printed Rel. Ant. II, p. 174. Mr. Wright says, 'see an account of the MS. in Mr. Crofton Croker's Popular Songs of Ireland, pp. 282-7.']

1.

Hail seint michel wiþ þe lange sper fair beþ þi winges vp þi scholder

þou hast a rede kirtil a-non to þi fote þou ert best angle þat euer god makid þis uers is ful wel iwroȝt hit is of wel furre y-broȝt

2.

Hail seint cristofre wiþ þi lang stake þou ber ur louerd ihesu crist ouer þe brod lake mani grete kunger swimmeþ abute þi fete hou mani hering to peni at west chep in London þis uers is of holi writte hit com of noble witte

3.

Seint mari bastard þe maudlein-is sone to be wel icloþid wel was þi wone þou berist a box on þi hond ipeintid al of gold woned þou wer to be hend. ȝiue us sum of þi spicis þis uers is imakid wel of consonans and wowel

4.

Hail seint dominik with þi lang staffe hit is at þe ouir end crokid as a gaffe þou berist a bok on þi bak. ic wen hit is a bible þoȝ þou be a gode clerk. be þou noȝt to heiȝ. Trie rime la god hit wote soch an oþir an erþe i note

5.

Hail seint franceis wiþ þi mani foulis kites and crowis. reuenes and owles fure and .xx.^ti wild ges and a poucok mani bold begger siwiþ þi route þis uers is ful wel isette swiþe furre hit was i-vette

6.

Hail be ȝe freris wiþ þe white copis ȝe habbiþ a hus at drochda [Drogheda.] war men makiþ ropis euir ȝe beþ roilend þe londis al a-boute of þe watir daissers ȝe robbiþ þe churchis maister he was swiþe gode þat þis sentence vnderstode

7.

Hail be ȝe gilmins wiþ ȝur blake gunes ȝe leuith ȝe wildirnis and filliþ þe tiuns

Menur wiþ-oute. and prechur wiþ-inne ȝur abite is of gadering þat is mochil schame sleilich is þis uers iseid hit wer harme adun ileiid

8.

Hail ȝe holi monkes wiþ ȝur corrin late and raþe ifillid of ale and wine depe cun ȝe bouse þat is al ȝure care wiþ seint benet-is scurge lome ȝe disciplineþ takeþ hed al to me þat þis is sleche ȝe mow wel se

9.

Hail be ȝe nonnes of seint mari house goddes bourmaidnes and his owen spouse ofte mistrediþ ȝe ȝur schone. ȝur fete beþ ful tendre daþeit þe sotter þat tawiþ ȝure leþir swiþe wel ȝe vnder-stode þat makid þis ditee so gode

10.

Hail be ȝe prestis wiþ ȝur brode bokes þoȝ ȝur crune be ischaue. fair beþ ȝur crokes ȝow and oþer lewidmen deleþ bot a houue whan ȝe deliþ holibrede. ȝiue me botte a litil Sikirlich he was a clerk þat wrochete þis craftilich werke

11.

Hail be ȝe marchans wiþ ȝur gret packes of draperie auoir-depeise and ȝur wol sackes gold siluer stones riche markes and ek pundes litil ȝiue ȝe þer-of to þe wrech pouer sleiȝ he was and ful of witte þat þis lore put in writte

12.

Hail be ȝe tailurs wiþ ȝure scharpe sheres to mak wronge hodes ȝe kittiþ lome gores a-ȝens midwinter hote beþ ȝur neldes þoȝ ȝur semes semiþ fair. hi lestiþ litil while þe clerk þat þis baston wrowȝte wel he woke and slepe riȝte nowȝte

13.

Hail be ȝe sutlers wiþ ȝour mani lestes wiþ ȝour blote [May be r, blotched.] hides of selcuþ bestis

and trobles and treisuses bochevanpe and alles blak and loþlich beþ ȝur teþ hori was þat route nis þis bastun wel ipiȝte euch word him sitte ariȝte

14.

Hail be ȝe skinners wiþ ȝure drenche kiue who so smilliþ þer-to. wo is him aliue whan þat hit þonneriþ. ȝe mote þer-in schite daþeit ȝur curteisie. ȝe stinkeþ al þe strete worþ hit wer þat he wer king þat ditid þis trie þing

15.

Hail be ȝe potters wiþ ȝur bole ax fair beþ ȝur barmhatres, ȝolow beþ ȝur fax ȝe stondiþ at þe schamil, brod ferlich bernes fleiis ȝow folowiþe, ȝe swolowiþe y-now þe best clark of al þis tun craftfullich makid þis bastun

16.

Hail be ȝe bakers wiþ ȝur louis smale of white bred and of blake. ful mani and fale ȝe pincheþ on þe riȝt white aȝen goddes law to þe fair pillori ich rede ȝe tak hede þis uers is i-wrowȝte so welle þat no tung i-wis mai telle

17.

Hail be ȝe brewesters wiþ ȝur galuns potels and quarters ouer al þe tounes ȝur thowrnes beriþ moch awai, schame hab þe gyle beþ i-war of þe coking-stole, þe lak is dep and hori sikerlich he was a clerk þat so sleilich wroȝte þis werk

18.

Hail be ȝe hokesters dun bi þe lake wiþ candles and golokes and þe pottes blak tripis and kine fete. and schepen heuedes wiþ þe hori tromcheri hori is ȝure inne he is sori of his lif þat is fast to such a wif

19.

Fi a debles kaites þat kemiþ þe wolle al þe schindes of þe tronn an heiȝ opon ȝur sculle ȝe makid me sech a goshorne ouer al þe wowes þer-for ich makid on of ȝou sit opon a hechil

he was noble clerk and gode þat þis dep lore vnderstode

20.

Makiþ glad mi frendis ȝe sittiþ to long stille spekiþ now and gladieþ and drinkeþ al ȝur fille ȝe habbeþ ihird of men lif þat woniþ in lond drinkiþ dep and makiþ glade, ne hab ȝe non oþer nede þis song is y-seid of me euer i-blessid mote ȝe be.

Explicit.

XXXV. THE LAND OF COKAYGNE.

(Harl. MS. 913, fol. 3.)

(Printed in Hickes's Thesaurus part 1, p. 231; and (modernised) in Ellis's Specimens, vol. 1. In the MS., only the first lines of the divisions ¶ of the poem begin with capital letters, and there are no commas.)

Fur in see bi west spayngne. [ 1] Is a lond ihote cokaygne. Þer nis lond under heuen-riche. Of wel of godnis hit iliche. [ 4] Þoȝ paradis be miri and briȝt. Cokaygn is of fairir siȝt. What is þer in paradis. Bot grasse and flure and grene-ris. [ 8] Þoȝ þer be ioi and grete dute. Þer nis mete bote frute. Þer n'is halle, bure, no benche. Bot watir, man-is þursto quenche. [ 12] Beþ þer no man but two. Hely and enok also. Clinglich may hi go. Whar þer woniþ men no mo. [ 16] ¶ In cokaygne is met and drink. Wiþ vte care. how and swink. Þe met is trie. þe drink is clere. To none. russin, and sopper. [ 20]

I sigge for soþ, boute were. Þer n'is lond on erthe is pere. Vnder heuen n'is lond iwisse. Of so mochil ioi and blisse. [ 24] ¶ Þer is mani swete siȝte. Al is dai, n'is þer no niȝte. Þer n'is baret noþer strif. N'is þer no deþ, ac euer lif. [ 28] Þer n'is lac of met no cloþ. Þer n'is man no womman wroþ. Þer n'is serpent, wolf no fox. Hors, no capil, kowe, no ox. [ 32] Þer n'is schepe. no swine no gote. No non horwȝ-la, god it wot. Nother harate, nother stode. Þe lond is ful of oþer gode. [ 36] N'is þer flei. fle, no lowse. In cloþ, in toune. bed, no house. Þer n'is dunnir, slete, no hawle. No non vile worme no snawile. [ 40] Non non storme, rein, no winde. Þer n'is man no womman blinde. Ok al is game, Ioi, and gle. Wel is him þat þer mai be. [ 44] ¶ Þer beþ riuers gret and fine. Of oile, melk, honi and wine. Watir seruiþ þer to no þing. Bot to siȝt and to waiissing. [ 48] Þer is maner frute. Al is solas and dedute. ¶ Þer is a wel fair abbei. Of white monkes and of grei. [ 52] Þer beþ bowris and halles. Al of pasteiis beþ þe walles. Of fleis, of fisse, and rich met. Þe likfullist þat man mai et. [ 56] Fluren cakes beþ þe scingles alle. Of cherche. cloister. boure. and halle.

Þe pinnes beþ fat podinges. Rich met to princeȝ and kinges. [ 60] Man mai þer-of et inoȝ. Al wiþ riȝt, and noȝt wiþ woȝ. Al is commune to ȝung and old. To stoute and sterne, mek and bold. [ 64] ¶ Þer is a cloister fair and liȝt. Brod and lang, of sembli siȝt. Þe pilers of þat cloistre alle Beþ i-turned of cristale. [ 68] Wiþ har-las and capitale. Of grene Jaspe and rede corale. In þe praer is a tre. Swiþe likful for to se. [ 72] Þe rote is gingeuir and galingale. Þe siouns beþ al sedwale. Trie maces beþ þe flure. Þe rind, canel of swet odur. [ 76] Þe frute gilofre of gode smakke. Of cucubes þer n'is no lakke. Þer beþ rosis of rede ble. And lilie likful for to se. [ 80] Þai faloweþ neuer day no niȝt. Þis aȝt be a swet[e] siȝt. ¶ Þer beþ .iiij. willis in þe abbei. ¶ Of triacle and halwei. [ 84] Of baum and ek piement. Euer ernend to riȝt rent. Of þai stremis al þe molde. Stonis preciuse and golde. [ 88] Þer is saphir and vniune. Carbuncle and astiune. Smaragde. lugre. and prassiune. Beril. onix. topasiune. [ 92] Ametist and crisolite. Calcedun and epetite. ¶ Þer beþ briddes mani and fale. Þrostil, þruisse, and niȝtingale. [ 96]

Chalandre and wodwale. And oþer briddes wiþout tale. Þat stinteþ neuer by har miȝt. Miri to sing dai and niȝt. [ 100] [Here a few lines seem to be lost.] ¶ ȝite I do ȝow mo to witte. Þe Gees irostid on þe spitte. Fleeȝ to þat abbai, god hit wot. And grediþ 'gees al hote, al hot.' [ 104] Hi bringeþ garlek gret plente. Þe best idiȝt þat man mai se. Þe leuerokes þat beþ cuþ. Liȝtiþ adun to man-is muþ. [ 108] Idiȝt in stu ful swiþe wel. Pudrid wiþ gilofre and canel. N'is no spech of no drink. Ak take inoȝ wiþ-vte swink. [ 112] ¶ Whan þe monkes geeþ to masse. All þe fenestres þat beþ of glasse. Turneþ in to cristal briȝt. To ȝiue monkes more liȝt. [ 116] When þe masses beþ iseiid. And þe bokes up ileiid. Þe cristal turniþ in to glasse. In state þat hit raþer wasse. [ 120] ¶ Þe ȝung monkes euch dai. Aftir met goþ to plai. N'is þer hauk no fule so swifte. Bettir fleing bi þe lifte. [ 124] Þan þe monkes heiȝ of mode. Wiþ har sleuis and har hode. ¶ Whan þe abbot seeþ ham flee. Þat he holt for moch glee. [ 128] Ak naþeles al þar amang. He biddiþ ham liȝt to eue-sang. Þe monkes liȝtiþ noȝt adun. Ac furre fleeþ in o randun. [ 132] ¶ Whan þe abbot him iseeþ. Þat is monkis fram him fleeþ.

He takeþ maidin of þe route. And turniþ vp her white toute. [ 136] And betiþ þe taburs wiþ is hond. To make is monkes liȝt to lond. ¶ Whan is monkes þat iseeþ. To þe maid dun hi fleeþ. [ 140] And geþ þe wench al abute. And þakkeþ al hir white toute. And siþ aftir her swinke. Wendith meklich hom to drinke. [ 144] And geth to har collacione. A wel fair processione. ¶ Anoþer abbei is þerbi. For soth a gret fair nunnerie. [ 148] Up a riuer of swet milke. Whar is plente grete of silk. Whan þe somer-is dai is hote. Þe ȝung nunnes takith a bote. [ 152] And doth ham forth in that riuer. Bothe with oris and with stere. When hi beth fur from the abbei. Hi makith ham nakid for to plei. [ 156] And lepith dune in-to the brimme. And doth ham sleilich for to swimme. Þe ȝung monkes [MS. monkeþ.] þat hi seeth. Hi doth ham up, and forþ hi fleeþ. [ 160] And commiþ to þe nunnes anon. And euch monke him taketh on. And snellich berith forth har prei. To the mochil grei abbei. [ 164] And techith the nunnes an oreisun. With iambleue vp and dun. ¶ Þe monke þat wol be stalun gode. And kan set a-riȝt is hode. [ 168] He schal hab wiþute danger. .xii. wiues euche ȝere.

Al þroȝ riȝt and noȝt þroȝ grace. For to do him silf solace. [ 172] And þilk monk þat clepiþ best. And doþ his likam al to rest. Of him is hoppe, god hit wote. To be sone uadir abbot. [ 176] ¶ Whose wl com þat lond to. Ful grete penance he mot do. Seue ȝere in swine-is dritte. He mot wade, wol ȝe i-witte. [ 180] Al anon up to þe chynne. So he schal þe lond[e] winne. ¶ Lordinges gode and hend. Mot ȝe neuer of world wend. [ 184] For ȝe stond to ȝure cheance. And fulfille that penance. Þat ȝe mote þat lond ise. And neuer more turne a-ȝe. [ 188] Prey we god so mote hit be. Amen, per seinte charite.

finit.

XXXVI. FIVE EVIL THINGS.

Bissop lorles. Kyng redeles. ȝung man rechles. Old man witles. Womman ssamles. I swer bi heuen kyng. Þos beþ fiue liþer þing.